Sunset News: Under investigation for abusing his position

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Under investigation for abusing his position

Sean Harrigan, former United Food and Commercial Workers (UFWC) union boss, is currently under investigation for abusing his position as trustee and president of California’s gigantic $176 billion public pension fund known as CalPERS. Apparently Harrigan steered pension funds to investment firms that agreed to contribute to Big Labor’s political causes.

Union officials and their allies reportedly were asking for political contributions on Sean Harrigan’s explicit behalf.

“You don't have to explain that (investment firms) are going to be at a competitive disadvantage if they don't contribute,” said Allison Hayward, a campaign finance specialist at George Mason University School of Law. “The implication is, ‘Nice business you have here. Shame if something were to happen to it.’”