Riverside newspaper sues to open pension records

The Press-Enterprise of Riverside has sued the San Bernardino County retirement system to force the release of records for all former employees earning pensions of more than $90,000 a year.

From the story:

The action filed by The Press-Enterprise asks a judge to order the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association to disclose the payments

The association initially "denied in whole" a California Public Records Act request from the newspaper for the "names, monthly payment, annual payment, job title, government agency and department" of all individuals receiving at least $90,000 in annual retirement benefits from the association.

The retirement association denied an initial request to turn over the records. The executive director cited privacy concerns, saying, "We are dedicated to preserving the confidence and trust of our members."

To newspaper contends that the records are public documents under state law. Attorney Alonzo Wickers, who represents the Press-Enterprise, had this to say: "Given the extraordinary public interest in this information and given the incredible burden pensions are placing on local governments in California, such as in Bell, there is really just a tremendous interest in access to this public information."