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Labor unions call for delay on retirement board appointment
October 20th, 2008, 5:52 pm · 57 Comments · posted by NORBERTO SANTANA JR.
Just on the heels of the District Attorney’s confirmation of a review over the appointment of Thomas Flanigan to the Orange County Employee Retirement System, labor groups are getting into the mix… and calling for a delay.
Flanigan is facing questions over his relationship with a company that advocates a different approach to pension accounting…One that would mean likely higher contributions to pay for retirement benefits of public workers. He’s drawn fire for his controversial exits from other retirement systems, including his stint as Chief Investment Officer for the Orange County retirement system.
Supervisors are expected to consider Flanigan’s appointment at tommorrow’s weekly meeting.
“We have been informed that the District Attorney’s office is thoroughly reviewing information it received regarding Mr. Flanigan and his relationship to Ryan Labs. I’m sure the Board of Supervisors doesn’t want to violate the law. Why not wait until the DA completes his investigation?” wrote attorney Tom Umberg, a former prosecutor and state assemblyman who is representing the United Employee Organizations of Orange County in their opposition to the appointment.
Supervisors’ Chairman John Moorlach - Flanigan’s main sponsor for the appointment - says there will be no delay. And he sees labor as exaggerating how deep a look the DA will take.
“To say that the District Attorney is going to thoroughly review is a misleading statement,” Moorlach told me.
“They accepted the (complaint) letter and they’re submitting it to preliminary review,” Moorlach said.
At this point, Moorlach said his plan is full speed ahead.
“We’ll hash it out tomorrow morning,” he said.
“Ringside seats are $100 each,” Moorlach joked.
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DENA BUNIS, Washington bureau chief, 202-628-6381 or dbunis@ocregister.com
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I would pay more than $100 if it means that Moorlach is shamed into admitting what a bad idea it is to appoint Flanigan. I really hope the other board members show patience and wisdom about this critical issue, and vote to at least hold off until all of the questions are answered.
It is interesting that Moorlach is now speaking for the DA and apparently indicating that the DA will not do a “thorough review”. Surpise that he has now insulted the DA. According to Moorlach we can only expect a superficial quick look. Maybe $8 billion isn’t a big thing to anybody but the taxpayers and the retirees.
What’s the rush? Why can’t the Board of Supervisors wait until the DA has finished it’s review of Mr. Flanigan?
Funny how King John wants a no questions asked approach to his reign. Let’s not wait for the facts, they may expose another Chriss Street like move by King John. Hand picked to do his bidding this Flanigan lad I’m sure.
So it is funny that the Board of Supervisors might violate the law in their appointment? It is funny that the DA is reviewing the comlaint to see if the law has been broken? It is funny that employee organizations are retaining legal representation?
Mr. Moorlach’s flippant attitude and comments are nothing to laugh about. His attitude is borderline dangerous. I sure hope that the rest of the board of supervisors will actually take this matter seriously.
I wish the Board would wait before doing this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
take some time…. think about it for a while, like on a resort on the coast.
Isn’t there anybody that wonders why Moorlach wants to BYPASS any type of investigation into Tom Flanigan and their cooperative agenda when it concerns so much money that is NOT THEIR MONEY?
What’s the hurry. We need to wait for the DA to review this matter. The people have a right to know the truth!
If Mr. Moorlach’s appointee is such a great idea why rush?, can he go through complete review process. Retirement system has to much to loose with wrong people on the Board. And we tax payers are going to pick up the tab. In last few weeks we all experienced how wrong financial decision can be very costly. I hope other supervisor will show
more wisdom and wait until dust settle and all the questions are answered.
E woman
I didn’t know that D A Tony Rackaukus took his marching orders from John Moorlach. Is the air getting thin over there on the 5th floor of the Hall of Administration?
If there’s some reasonable doubt that needs to be addressed about the legality of this appointment, then why does it have to go forward tomorrow? What’s wrong with waiting? Or is this another “if the unions are against it, Moorlach has to do it” kind of move?
Supervisors Bates, Campbell, Nguyen and Norby - are you really on board with this?!?!
If Mr. Moorlach’s appointee is such a great idea why rush?
Retirement system has too much too loose with wrong people on their
the Retirement Board. Why not wait till DA office is done with investigation? Too much of taxpayers money are at risk if wrong
decision is made. We can’t afford more instability in already difficult time. Hope other supervisors show more restrain and wisdom.
E woman
If Mr. Moorlach’s appointee is such a great idea why rush?
Retirement system has too much too loose with wrong people on their
the Retirement Board. Why not wait till DA office is done with investigation? Too much of taxpayers money are at risk if wrong
decision is made. We can’t afford more instability in already difficult time. Hope other supervisors show more restrain and wisdom.
Moorlach has called Mr. Flanigan an “icon” in the pension field. He’s an icon all right, an iconic joke. Flanigan is infamous nationwide for advocating a “put your cash under your pillow” investment strategy, an approach that decades of empirical data establish as devastating for pension plans, and which has gotten him fired by three different pension systems, including OCERS. And that’s Moorlach’s goal - minimize investment return, send contribution rates through the roof, and then get a new vanity license plate that says, “Told U So.” Moorlach hates real oversight because most of what he and his sidekick cook up is indefensible. Just like this foolish and irresponsible appointment.
I didn’t know that D A Tony Rackaukus takes his marching orders from John Moorlach. Is the air too thin up on the fifth floor of the Hall of Administration?
If there’s a reasonable doubt about the legality of an appointment, what’s wrong with waiting? Why does it have to go forward tomorrow? Or is this another “If the unions are against it, I have to do it” kind of move?
Supervisors Bates, Campbell, Nguyen and Norby - where are you with this?!?!
What is the rush. Let the DA review the matter and submit a report.
Let’s take the time to think this through, and at the very least give it a closer look. This is one mistake we cannot afford to make. Literally. What’s the rush?
Moorlach has become synonymous with the word “misleading”. He is an expert at misleading the public about most things, like his concern for taxpayers and the citizens of Orange County. If he really was concerned for us, he would have helped out the Women’s Transitional Living Center. He would have not spent taxpayer money on refurbishing his office when taxpayers can’t afford food and gas. He is misleading us again when he dismisses the investigation of the DA. What’s more, he thinks we are stupid enough to believe him. I would dare say that he would not dismiss it if the DA thoroughly investigated his conduct. What’s the rush. Why not wait until the DA has a chance to look into this. Let’s hope the rest of the Board sees the wisdom in waiting.
Here we go again. Moorlach is thinking he is better than the DA now. He wants to put his friend Flanigan in office so that they can finish the County Employees off. You have Moorlach wanting to take jobs away form employees in the county and contract them out to his friends. These employees are trying to make house payments, put food on the table for their family’s, and pay for gas to get to work. Now Flanigan would go in to the Retirement Board and invest all the funds that the employees have put in for their retirement, for some of his so called good investment’s. Some one better wake up and see that this county is going down the tubes real fast. Oh and lets not forget that Street is spending tax payers money on fixing up his “wall street office”. The rest of the Board of Supervisors better wake up and look at what is going on around them and knock Moorlach off of his pedestal. I think its time for a recall.
There is a time for levity. This isn’t one of them.
Do the other Supervisors find Moorlach’s disrepectful jokes clever or amusing?
What’s the big hurry Mr. Moorlach?
If Tom Flanigan is going to be such a great addition to the OCERS Board, as you believe him to be, won’t he still be after the DA reviews the matter?
What are you so worried about?
Mr. Moorlach, while apparently misplacing his ethics, is keeping his sense of humor close by. Unfortunately it is not accompanied by an appropriate sense of timing. Shame on you Mr. Chairman…..and while you are giving pause and hopefully some consideration to your ill-timed humor, please consider demonstrating some patience and let the DA’s office do their job.
P.S. Tony R. already has a spokesperson.
Thank goodness the unions stepped in. Moorlach does not seem to have thought through a decision that will impact thousands of working families negatively…oh wait, that’s the point.
Um, if there is nothing to hide Johnny Boy, why the rush? It’s too late to ram your selection through without anyone looking.
You’re the one who decided to ask the voters not to trust the Board of Supervisor’s, YOU, with decisions about pension benefit changes with Measure J. Why should we trust you to decide, before an investigation is completed, with an irrevokable appointment to the OCERS board?
How much is Ryan Labs paying you? How much have these guys pledged to raise for your next campaign?
Hello….Hello….Is there anyone out there? Are there any other Board of Supervisors that exist in this County that are willing to voice an opinion and stand up to Moorlach? Or is the great story of the Puppet Master?
Not only does Moorlach now speak for the other four County supervisors, but he also speaks for the District Attorney. I am frustrated with the Republican Party and its representatives (or in the Great Orange County - Reprsentative).
We stand in one of worst econoimic times since the Great Depression and Mr. Moorlach wants to run “full speed ahead”! Sometimes, when a person runs full speed a head, Mr. Moorlach, they might just miss something very, very important.
With billions of dollars at stake, I have yet to realize what the rush is? But I guess you would know more (or less) than anyone else since you are now the acting District Attorney.
I agree with the embarassed rep.. Moorlach has shown a total lack of respect for process. His comments portray him as ” above the law. ‘
Moorlach…ever hear “Pride comes before a fall ?”
I hope the other Board members will wait until the DA’s review is completed. We taxpayers are entitled to the truth.
The other 4 members of the Board of Supervisors need to wake up and stop the tyranny of John Moorlach. How they can continue to go along with all of his ultra-conservative wing nut schemes and plans is beyond me. The voters in this county need to pay attention to these “non partisan” offices and realize that their interests are not being protected but are instead just platforms for political agendas.
I will pay $100 for a ringside seat to see Master Moorlach humiliated in front of all the losers he has appointed without taking a minute to think about the lack of experience and intelligence they possess. Please, I beg the other four supervisors to use the brain that God gave them and stop the evil man they now call Chairman. And to the DA please show the evil one who has the real power, go get him, stop him once and for all.
Moorlach rationalized to the public the same demagoguery about endorsing Chris Street for the tax collectors office. I am supervisor, here me roar. Moorlach quips at all who question his motives about the Flannigan appoitnment to the OCER’s board while the rest of the board of supervisors remain silent. The board repudiates the claims of hard working public employees to have a secure future in their retirement by appointing Flanigan. They are motivated by pride and vanity for their quest for a higher office. QED.
County employees already pay a lot of money for their retirement. We collectively are totally subsidizing the 2.7 @ 55 retirement plan. We DO NOT need to spend any more from our monthly wages on retirement. Considering Mr Moorlach’s open hatred for public employees, it is apparent that his hasty appointment of Flanigan is nothing more than another attempt by Moorlach to hurt and cause damage to the County employees’ daily life and existence. It is a damn shame and a horrible disaster that Moorlach was voted into the BOS.
Tom Umberg, now thats a real flash from the past. Go John, good to see someone making a effort on this mess.
I have been a proud employee of the County of Orange for over 30 years. I work diligently and provide the citizens of Orange County with 100% of my efforts every day. As a government employee, we are aware of the fact that citizens of our county are looking as all employee to ensure that their taxes are not wasted.
I must say that I am now ashamed to be an employee with our leaders who have shady pasts. Two such examples are our former sheriff and our current Treasurer/Tax Collector, Chris Street. Both have been investigated and are a poor example of our leaders. Now, Supervisor Moorlach wants to appoint another poor example, Tom Flanigan, who is also being investigated by the District Attorney’s Office. Isn’t there anyone in the public sector who has a stellar reputation? Must we continue to appoint people to boards and commissioners that have the appearance impropriety? Let’s hope the members of the Board of Supervisors see the error in this. We’ve listened to John Moorlach with Chriss Street. Bad Choice! Do we have to continue the poor choices he makes when appointing someone in office? Where there is smoke, there is fire. Let’s have the DA complete his investigation.
It’s time the citizens of this county, of which I am a member, have appointments be upstanding citizens with no skeletons in their closet. Let’s have someone both the employees of this county and the citizens can have faith in. It definitely is not Tom Flanigan.
I hope the DA starts asking questions. These bozos will start lying just like they have from the start, and Moorlach will go to jail on obstruction charges. He’s just like Martha Stewart: arrogant, corrupt and in love with himself.
No one seems to be able to give a reason for the big hurry that John Moorlach is in. Bill Campbell, are you listening? I’ve been a Campbell supporter! I’ve seen remarks by you in support of County employee retirement benefits. Why not step up to the plate now?
Why is Moorlach in such a hurry to appoint Flanigan to the OCER’s board when the District Attorney’s office is questioning Flanigan’s relationship with a company that advocates a different approach to pension accounting? Why are the other supervisors not speaking up about this matter? We need to wait until the DA’s office has completed their review. This is not Moorlach’s money to be playing games with.
Why not let the DA clear it, why is MOORLACH in a hurry! I think the TAX oayers that he says that he advocates would not mind delaying such an imporrtant appointment in order to get the clearance from the DA.
My Question is why are these other Supervisors letting this ONE guy push them around. STAND UP OC BOARD OF SUPERVISORS show some back bone!! YOU ARE letting him MESS with my PENSION!
This is not a game you’re playing Moorlach! After giving everything to the County for 29 years in maintenance, I had to retire earlier than I would have liked. This is my retirement money, all I have. My knees are shot, I can’t get another job where I need to walk around.
I went to one meeting where I saw Flanigan. He was the most pompous, self absorbed person their who rambled on for twenty minutes and never said anything. I don’t want him to be anywhere near my money.
To you this all about ego, your war with Unions. Moorlach don’t appoint Flanigan or the liability will get worse.
Moorlack, Baits, Cambull, Norbee, and Newwin. The people of orange county are smarter than you think if you believe your shenanagins will work on appointing a man like flannigan to the ocers board. We vote and will not forget.
If the DA needs to review the matter to see if the law has been broken, isn’t that a sign right there?! I hope the Board of Supervisors realizes the need to wait.
Why the rush Mr. Moorlach? Are you hoping to use your new flunky to push your policies through on the OCERS board? Are you hoping to have them implemented before the DA’s Office finishes their investigation?
Other supervisors, please have some cahones! Don’t continue to be influenced by the Warlock.
OCGator. Making an effort on this mess? Nice grammar. As for mess, you’re apparently another of the Chairman’s mindless lemming followers who have no more understanding of the local pension system than I do of Florida U’s defense. Stick to football, where the final score is known in three hours, not three decades.
yes! E Chutney! Bill, PAT, Janet & Chris all need to listen up and wise up, I am sure they are all worried about their political futuer….they better be doing this right! It does not seem like Moorlach wants to!
“To say the District Attorney is going to throughly review is a misleading statement.” Wow, if that isn’t yet another insult from the King of ego? Is this to imply that the DA’s office doesn’t take seriously the work that they review? But then again, such a statement coming from someone who consistently shows a lact of respect or care for the employees he is supposed to represent is no surprise.
sailor says: I would hope Moorlach’s desire to destroy the retirement system is not so great that he would on top of everything else ignore the law. Hopefully, the rest of the Board of Supervisors will take the time to let the DA complete his investigation of Mr. Flanigan before they let Moorlach lead them down the wrong path because of his determination to destroy public employees.
Isn’t that just like Moorlach, “ringside seats”, he’s been a big bully on the playground his whole life, and now he equates everything to a fight. Such a small little man inside. He won’t get my vote.
Something smells. Mr. Flannigan’s affiliation with Ryan Labs is well chronicled and deserves a thorough investigation by the District Attorney, if not the Attorney General. Mr. Flannigan’s appointment to OCERS will undoubltedly violate state law and any Supervisor who votes for Mr. Flannigan’s appointment will become as guilty as John. There have been enough questions raised that need to be answered. To chance violating the law appears to be a desparate move by a desparate man. This appointment is just another chess move by a man bent on statisically undermining the pension system for his own self glorification.
The supes should wait for the investigation…it would be foolish to appoint him one week and have him get indicted the next. What’s the rush?
moorlach thinks this is all a joke? 100 per seat ringside? The only fee we could legally charge is for spectators to see the “ZOO” on the board!
Why is it NEVER serious or worthy if scrutiby unless the “ALL KNOWING MR MOORLACH” says so???
I guess residents of orange county like to elect idiots just for entertainment value! They are certainly getting their worth this time..lets only hope that it doesnt end up costing them more than they had hoped.
The only ethical choice this Board has is delay the vote on Flanagan. We dont need another loose canon in a position to destroy another asset!
My sincere hope is that the Board of Supervisors will wait for all the facts both legal and administrative to come out. Most of Flanigan’s problems are the result of Mario’s infamous e-mail in which he states that there was no relationship between Myer Labs and Flanigan. That blatant lie was quickly proven to be a lie and now the District Attorney has to investigate if there was a conspiracy to sneak Flanigan onto OCERS. Mario should go back to “teaching” law (those that can make it practicing law do, those that can’t teach) and save the County millions of dollars that he wastes on his far right legal theories. Mario needs to be fired.
When will the other Board of Supervisors stand up to bully John?
John prematurely tried convicting Chriss Street and stripping Street’s investment authorities away. Nice payback as Street is the person, not Moorlach who predicted the County’s fiscal meltdown of 1994. Because John got his butt kicked by a Democrat in the earlier election, the Board appointed John Treasurer and once John was appointed he took full credit for predicting the bk.
John has prematurely nominated Flanigan for the OCERS Board before fully vetting Flanigan. The other Board of Supervisors should demand full disclosure of why Flanigan left the prestigious title of OCERS Chief of Investments back in 2005. Back then the OCERS Board wouldn’t vacate their fiduciary responsibility and follow Flanigan’s “investment” recommendations. Additionally, the OC District Attorney has now confirmed that they will be looking into the possiblity of criminal allegations pertaining to California Government Code violations.
The Board of Supervisors should not act prematurely and wait for all the information to come out into the public light.
John Moorlach needs to work on his premature problems and quit embarassing himself and the other Board of Supervisors.
Why would John Moorlach state that there was a misprint on a flyer that stated Flanigan was a senior advisor to Myers Lab? I can’t wait for Flanigan to get sworn in so he has to fill out an economic form disclosing all his sources of income. Please continue the lies, so Flanigan can be charged with a felony and arrogant 1 and little arrogant 2 can be charged with conspiracy.
Supervisors Bates, Campbell, Nguyen and Norby:
You each will have the ability and authority to put Moorlach in his place by voting no on this recommendation.
I want to know if each of your offices have been fully briefed on Flanigan’s departure from OCERS in 2005?
Were your offices award of the “debate” held in the Chairman’s office where Flanigan and Ryan Labs were both present?
Each of your offices needs to tell the bearded egomaniac that until you are all satisfactorily briefed and educated you will vote NO at this time.
There truly needs to be a thorough vetting by each of your offices. Please do not rush this decision.
Like many have posted above me, WHAT’S THE RUSH?!?!?
It’s not like it is an uncommon thing for Moorlach to oporate on his own agenda but this is getting a little out of control.
His actions are being investigated by the DA yet he is still planning on going ahead with the appointment with no delay? The other Sups should wake up and pay attention.
Obviously Moorlach doesn’t care about the people he represents, hopefully the other Sups will show their constituents that they do.
Let Law Enforcement do its job. If there is nothing there then go ahead with the appointment. What are they trying to hide
Moorlach has some good ideas. Unfortunately, he’s taking an extremist approach and using these good ideas to further his own cause. Ultimately, the cost of the trouble he’s creating, I suspect, is more than the benefit from any implementation of his good ideas.
This is what representative government does for you. Rather than follow the will of his constituency or follow a philosophy that makes sense, Moorlach insists on following his own, warped sense of what’s right. Big John is the epitomy of narccissism. Norby is the epitomy of stupidity. That only leaves 3 board members and I don’t hold much hope for 2 of them
Appoint him NOW!!!!
The welfare queens need to put a cork in their big fat mouths.
Lostinspace, three decades?? Time for you to go, at half the price.