Dave Metusalem , Conflict of Interest on PERA Board

Dave Metuslam

I just read the June 29, Newsletter for members of PERA today. As a Corrections Retiree Reporter I feel duty bound to point out a conflict of interest.

This caught My eye,  from Thomas Stanley,President of the PERA Board of Trustees: " I also want to welcome David Metusalem back to the board as the Retired, Disabled, and Survivor representative. Dave has prior experience on the PERA board as an elected Police and Fire representative and also served as vice president."

Let me state up front, this appointment is rife with conflict of interest. Dave rose through the ranks at the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. He eventually was the Under Sheriff at Ramsey County, July of 1995 to March 2017. During that time he sat on the PERA Board representing Police and Fire.

He had to step down from the PERA board when he retired as a Peace Officer and became the Executive Director of the MPPOA, May 2017 until December 2018 when he left the MPPOA. All is well and good up until then.

Well now he is the appointed Chief Deputy of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and the PERA Board Retired, Disabled and Survivor representative and therein lies the conflict.

As Chief Deputy he has the power to hire and fire, but more importantly, as Chief Deputy he has say over which Detention Deputies and Deputies can qualify for Disability under PERA. So the conflict is, will he be looking out for the interest of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office or the PERA member seeking a PERA disability pension?

This is perfectly legal. He is a retiree, and as an appointed Chief Deputy he can legally hold this position. But this loop hole in the law allows a conflict! Imagine you're an injured Ramsey County Detention Deputy or Licensed Deputy and your boss has a vote on the PERA Board whether or not you qualify for a Disability Pension?

The election to fill the Retired, Disabled, and Survivor representative won't open up for more then a year. But at that time I will put my name in to represent us on the PERA Board as the Retired, Disabled, and Survivor representative.

I look forward to your support and will continue to look out for our Pension.