Chief Of Massive Employee L.A. Pension Fund Ousted

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA — The association that runs Los Angeles County's massive employee pension fund has fired its chief executive for reasons that are still unclear, but her attorney is accusing the group of gender bias.

Lou Lazatin's ouster as chief executive of the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association came on June 7, less than a year into her tenure, and after two LACERA boards placed her on administrative leave May 31 and voted to fire her at a future date, according to Institutional Investor.

"The boards thank Ms. Lazatin for her service to LACERA and wish her well in her future endeavors," said LACERA chief counsel Steven Rice, who is leading the association in Lazatin's absence. "Beyond the Boards' action, it is LACERA's policy not to comment further on personnel matters."

Lazatin's attorney, Mira Hashmall, told the Los Angeles Times on Friday that her client "was at the helm of an organization with a predominately male leadership team. When she began implementing her vision of transparency and financial accountability, she was cut off at the knees."

The 63-year-old Lazatin, from La Canada Flintridge, previously served as chief executive at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Los Angeles.

LACERA has already launched a national search to replace Lazatin, who could not be reached for comment.

City News Service