Pension probe looks at payouts to public officials

ByABC News
August 27, 2009, 5:34 PM

— -- Donations by investment firms went to officials in 30 states. Full story.

These private firms are among those that won lucrative management contracts from state pension funds while contributing to state officials' election campaigns.

Quadrangle Group's New Mexico contributions

Steven Rattner, a founder of the private-equity firm, gave $20,000 in campaign contributions to Gov. Bill Richardson in 2002 and 2006. Richardson sits on the New Mexico State Investment Council.

The investment council approved a $20 million investment with Quadrangle in 2005. Richardson was not present for the vote.

The New Mexico investment has generated about $1 million in management fees for Quadrangle.

Carlyle Group's New York contributions

David Rubenstein, managing director and co-founder of the private-equity firm, contributed $48,000 to Alan Hevesi's winning campaigns for state comptroller from 2002-2006. Hevesi was the sole trustee of the state's pension fund.

Carlyle manages nearly $1.5 billion in state pension fund investments awarded since 2003.

The New York pension fund investments have generated about $38.6 million in management fees for Carlyle.

Blackstone Group's Pennsylvania contributions

Stephen Schwarzman, chairman of the private-equity giant, gave $11,000 to Gov. Edward Rendell's campaigns in 2002 and h 2006. Pennsylvania's governor appoints six of the state pension board's 11 members.

The state pension fund invested more than $2.8 billion with Blackstone from 1994 through 2007.

The Pennsylvania investments have earned Blackstone about $129 million in fees.

Sources: New Mexico State Investment Council, New York State Office of the State Comptroller, Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System, USA TODAY research