Indiana State Teachers Association Finds Fraud Charges “Perplexing”
The Indiana State Teachers Association responded to the complaint filed by the state’s securities division with a press release.
“ISTA continues to work diligently on behalf of educators and children in Indiana. In addition, since becoming aware of the issues with the Insurance Trust, we have pursued resolution of the matter,” said NEA administrator Edward P. Sullivan. “That is why the timing of the Secretary of State’s lawsuit served on ISTA on Wednesday is perplexing. Since the imposition of the trusteeship by NEA in May of this year, ISTA and the Insurance Trust have been working to ensure that all medical and long-term disability claims made by school corporation employees would be paid. We know that the accomplishment of this primary objective is only possible through the financial sacrifice of ISTA’s members and the generosity of NEA members across the country. This lawsuit does nothing to help ensure that claims continue to be paid.”
The state is understandably less confident than Mr. Sullivan that the funds are properly accounted for and thus wants to ensure that school districts don’t get rooked in a negotiated settlement with ISTA. Fortunately for the union, there is no practical limit to “the generosity of NEA members across the country” since they have no clue what’s going on in Indiana.
