Nov. 29, 2004 — Sen. Lorraine Berry said Monday evening that her staff is still reviewing documents received by the Government Employees Retirement System Board on its reasons for firing executive director Laurence Bryan.
"My staff is still analyzing the information," Berry said.
GERS Board Chairman Raymond James had delivered a mass of documents to Berry Nov. 17 as requested by the senator in a Nov. 8 letter.
The documents included an explanatory letter about Bryan's termination, a copy of the "expert testimony" leading to the termination, the contract leading to that testimony and minutes from all meetings concerning the firing. (See "Senator Calls for Documents Concerning GERS Firing").
James Francis, Berry's chief of staff, had said Nov. 18 that a report from Star Consultants — a consulting firm hired by GERS to make an assessment of the operation of the system to include management, payroll etc. — was missing. But the board has since delivered those documents to Berry. (See "GERS Firing: Sen. Berry Pursues the Paper Trail").
GERS acting Executive Director Willis Todman said last Wednesday that the Source could not receive a copy of the Star Consultant report because the board had not yet approved it.
Berry, who is currently working on a petition for a full Senate session to consider an override of the bills recently vetoed by Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, said Sen. President David Jones would not call for a full session to discuss the GERS issue. Jones informed her to take testimony on the matter in the appropriate committee, in this case the Government Operations Committee headed by Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone.
Berry said Malone is currently off-island at this time but she will discuss the GERS situation with him.
"I'm awaiting his return," Berry said.
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