Several politically connected placement agents, including former comptroller H. Carl McCall, helped arrange for investments from the state Common Retirement Fund, according to a list released Wednesday of several subpoenaed firms.

McCall’s Convent Capital received $48,221 for assisting Steinberg Asset Management in 2005. The fee amounted to a paltry sum compared to the millions hauled in by other agents caught up in the state probe of pension fund transactions during the tenure of McCall’s successor as comptroller, Alan Hevesi.

McCall acknowledged his firm had been subpoenaed this week by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo concerning its relationship with the retirement fund. McCall competed with Cuomo in 2002 for the right to run for governor as the Democratic candidate; McCall ended up running unsuccessfully against Gov. George Pataki.

Steinberg received $25 million from the pension fund to manage, McCall said in a statement, noting this was the only deal in which he participated involving the fund he once controlled.

McCall also noted he voluntarily provided information in 2007 to Cuomo’s office about his work for Steinberg, and offered to help in the investigation if he could.

In a brief interview, McCall did not accept being identified as a placement agent. He issued a statement saying, “I provided advice to Steinberg … concerning their presentation to the NYCRF.” McCall said he also contacted former Hevesi aide David Loglisci, who was the chief investment office of the retirement fund, and put in a good word on behalf of Steinberg.

Source: Times Union Conitnue Reading This Article Here