CalPERS board member J.J. Jelincic was publicly censured and stripped of his committee chairmanships by the California Public Employees' Retirement System board of administration on Wednesday over complaints of sexual harassment from system employees, according to a news release from the $227 billion fund.
His suspension as chairman of the fund's investment policy committee and as vice chairman of its health benefits committee is effective until March 1. The board also voted to limit Mr. Jelincic's travel privileges and is requiring him to attend sensitivity training.
The censure follows a decision Sept. 6 by the California State Personnel Board and administrative law judge Teri L. Block upholding a reprimand by CalPERS management last year over the incidents. Mr. Jelincic had appealed the reprimand, according to the news release.
“The CalPERS board does not condone harassment or similar conduct of any kind and all our board members are expected to meet this standard,” Rob Feckner, CalPERS president, said in the news release. “Our employees are one of our greatest assets and we are committed to ensuring that their work environment is professional, safe and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.”
Mr. Jelincic has served on the board since December 2009 as an at-large member. He was an investment officer for the fund for 25 years.
CalPERS spokesman Brad Pacheco could not be reached for comment. Efforts to reach Mr. Jelincic were unsuccessful.
