Judge: Ex-pension chair no longer gets a vote

A judge decided Thursday to allow the ex-chairman of the Kentucky Retirement Systems Board of Trustees to temporarily remain on the board but stripped him of his voting abilities after he missed two recent meetings.

Lawyers representing Gov. Matt Bevin asked Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd to reconsider his prior decision to allow Thomas Elliott, the former KRS chairman who was axed by the governor earlier this year, to rejoin the board until the litigation over his removal is resolved. Shepherd heard testimony from Elliott in court on Wednesday and issued a new ruling Thursday morning that partially grants the governor's request.

Elliott has sued Bevin for removing him as a trustee and for other changes the governor has made to the state pension board. Shepherd recently permitted Elliott to serve as a voting member of the KRS board until that lawsuit concludes, but he expressed significant concerns after Elliott missed two pension-related meetings the same week he was restored to the governing body.

Shepherd's new order modifies the temporary injunction he issued last month. Elliott still will be allowed to fully participate in pension board meetings while his lawsuit proceeds but will not be able to vote, Shepherd ruled Thursday. Bevin's appointee, Mark Lattis, will be permitted to serve as a voting member for the time being.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/ky-governor/2016/09/08/judge-ex-pension-chair-no-longer-gets-vote/89996184/