Secrecy in public pension plans is pervasive:

"State Sen. Katie Muth, D-44th, of Royersford, PA has retained national transparency law expert, Terry Mutchler, to assist with her ongoing battle on behalf of teachers and taxpayers to obtain basic information related to investment decisions that triggered a federal investigation into alleged wrongdoing by PSERS.

"Muth, policy chairwoman for the Senate Democratic Caucus, opted to hire transparency counsel following months of being denied access to documents she is entitled to as a Board Member such as investment information, building plans, contracts, pertinent documents, and board meeting materials for the period that preceded her appointment to the PSERS board in early 2021.

"'While I only joined the PSERS board several months ago, I have continuously been denied access to vital information related to the ongoing federal investigation into improper investment decisions using taxpayer and teacher money,' said Muth. 'Transparency Counsel will be instrumental in my efforts on behalf of teachers and taxpayers.'

"Muth selected Mutchler due to her immense experience dealing with transparency law, her national reputation of openness in government and her background as the founding executive director of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, the agency tasked with enforcing the state's Right to Know law.

"'While the decision to hire counsel did not come lightly, the decision to bring the experience and expertise of Terry Mutchler to my fight for transparency was an incredibly easy one,' said Muth. 'The fact that I, as a member of the PSERS board, am expected to vote on multiple millions of dollars in new and continuing investments during the June board meeting without first being granted access to basic information is extremely suspect and questionable. The people of Pennsylvania deserve better and, one way or another, I will continue to ask questions until we have these questions answered, once and for all.'"