PROVIDENCE, R.I. - General Treas. Gina Raimondo has issued a statement in response to the largest state employee's union hiring of Forbes magazine blogger critic Edward "Ted'' Siedle.
Her spokeswoman and deputy chief of staff Joy Fox said: "The news that Rhode Island Council 94, AFSCME has retained Ted Siedle raises questions about the credibility and motives of Siedle's previous columns. This was a bait and switch. He sold himself as a journalist while pitching a local union for business.
"It's not clear how much he is charging union members as a consultant, why he is focused on Rhode Island when other public pension funds have higher allocations to alternatives, or if he has additional personal or political motivations.''
"The Treasurer's top priority continues to be retirement security. She remains proud of the work of the General Assembly, the State Investment Commission and her team has done to move our state pension system onto a secure and sustainable path.''
Recently, Treasury continued its commitment to financial disclosure by increasing the amount of online information available regarding pension investments.'