| Coalition of University Employees (CUE) | 2855 Telegraph Ave., Suite #302, Berkeley, CA 94705 Contact CUE (510) 845-2221 (phone), (510) 845-7444 (FAX) |
The alleged case of political corruption involves UC Regent Gerald Parsky, who is both the campaign chair for Bush in California and the chair of UC Regents committee responsible for overseeing the university's $59 billion pension fund. According to a report in the San Francisco Examiner, Dennis Tito, President of Wilshire Associates, made a large contribution to a Republican party soft-money committee in California that is raising money for Governor Bush's presidential campaign. One week after Mr. Tito's contribution, the Board of Regents, at the recommendation of Mr. Parsky's committee, awarded to Mr. Tito's firm a $350,000 non-competitively bid contract to consult on the operation of the UC pension fund.
Claudia Horning, president of the Coalition of University Employees (CUE), representing 18,000 UC clerical workers, called the University’s lack of response to the scandal “appalling. We are extremely concerned about the apparent political corruption infecting our pension fund.” David Johnson, representing the California Nurses Association (CNA) and its 8,000 UC registered nurses, demanded that the University immediately launch an independent investigation. “Since the alleged scandal involves the highest levels of University leaders, it is imperative that the investigation be placed in the hands of investigators who cannot be tainted by pressure from the UC Regents, and that anyone involved in wrong-doing be punished. Public funds must not be used for private political gain. One Quackenbush scandal was more than enough.” Union leaders have raised their concerns about this case with University officials, and have filed a complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission. However, the University has failed to date to confirm that any investigation is in progress.
The unions called on the UC to hire outside investigators to determine if violations of University policy or procedures regarding conflicts of interest occurred. In addition, union leaders demanded that the University adopt stringent policies to protect against future political corruption and conflict of interest. A swift, thorough investigation, as well as a full public accounting of the results, are the minimal requirements of the independent probe, according to the unions.
Today’s call was issued by unions representing UC employees statewide, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the California Nurses Association (CNA), the Coalition of University Employees (CUE), the United Auto Workers (UAW), the University Council—American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT), and the University Professional and Technical Employees—Communications Workers of America (UPTE-CWA).
For more information, contact Elinor Levine at (510) 643-0704 or David Johnson at (818) 240-1900 ext. 110.
David Johnson
CNA
(818) 240-1900 ext 110
Fax (818) 240-8336