Chay Iv, chief administrative officer under former Hartford City Treasurer Carmen Sierra, has filed a formal grievance with the city’s corporation counsel alleging Pension Plan Administrator Nicole Plessy Cloud publicly challenged her qualifications and undermined her professional reputation during public comment after the Pension Commission appointed Iv the Acting Assistant Plan Administrator during its June meeting.

The June 25 meeting of the Pension Commission began with an executive session related to personnel issues during which Sierra met with the Pension Commissioners, who then voted to make Iv, who worked closely with Sierra, acting assistant plan administrator working directly beneath Plessy Cloud. 

Plessy Cloud, a 28-year veteran employee, was not part of the executive session and was not consulted on the matter of hiring a new assistant plan administrator. Upon learning of the appointment, she asked to make public comment whereupon she indicated she did not feel Iv had the experience or background for the position. Iv submitted her complaint the following day.

“By publicly challenging my qualifications after the Commission reached its decision, Ms. Plessy Cloud undermined my professional reputation before the governing body responsible for oversight of the retirement system,” Iv wrote, and goes on to allege that following the meeting, Plessy Cloud confronted her outside the meeting room and “shouted” at her in front of witnesses saying, “You know this isn’t right.”

“Ms. Plessy Cloud’s public statement and subsequent confrontation have created significant concern regarding all employees’ ability to work in an environment characterized by mutual respect and professionalism,” Iv wrote. “I formally request an investigation into the conduct of Ms. Plessy Cloud.”

The Pension Administration Unit is “responsible for the day-to-day administration” of the Municipal Employee Retirement Fund and Deferred Compensation Plan, including calculating retirees’ monthly payments, according to the city’s website.

Iv was hired by the Hartford Treasurer’s Office as chief administrative officer in 2023. According to her LinkedIn profile, she previously worked for six years as an Art and Display Coordinator and before that a Global Brand Manager for Hasbro. Online sources peg Iv’s salary as chief administrative officer at $80,000.

Although the alleged confrontation preceded Sierra’s abrupt resignation and subsequent controversial return to city hall, it adds to the unfolding drama and questions surrounding the Treasurer’s Office after two Pension Commission members left in quick succession, citing ethical concerns over how Sierra was conducting business. 

A review of meeting minutes shows disagreement between the Commission and Sierra over keeping meeting minutes, hiring attorneys, and formation of a governance committee. Additionally, there was disagreement between Hartford’s corporation counsel and a long-time attorney serving under Sierra over whether former State Treasurer and Pension Commission member Shawn Wooden was eligible to serve on the Commission after he moved from Hartford to Farmington.

Plessy Cloud is married to former Hartford Treasurer Adam Cloud, who was just appointed Treasurer for the remainder of the term by the Hartford City Council following Sierra’s resignation, and worked for the city throughout Adam Cloud’s previous tenure as treasurer. 

While the treasurer is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Pension Administration Unit, like approving sick days or vacation time, Plessy Cloud and her colleagues in the administration unit report directly to the Pension Commission, which is in charge of making employment decisions.

Cloud’s tenure as treasurer was not without its own controversy regarding family members and wire transfers to an insurance company that was under investigation, and pitching a company to investors that had ties to his family. Cloud was elected three times to the office before stepping down in 2022 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector, making Sierra, who served as his longtime deputy treasurer and campaign treasurer, interim treasurer for the city before she was elected in 2023.

Chay Iv worked closely with Sierra, often responding on her behalf to media inquiries and occasionally traveling with Sierra to investment conferences and conventions, and organizing Sierra’s Bilingual Financial Literacy Symposiums. The city’s Internal Audit Department is gearing up for an audit of the Treasurer’s Office and the pension fund.

“While I recognize that individuals may disagree with personnel decisions, publicly questioning the qualifications of a fellow employee after the Commission has made its decision, followed by a personal confrontation immediately afterward, creates unnecessary division and makes it more difficult to foster a collaborative work environment,” Iv wrote.

Neither Plessy Cloud nor Iv responded to requests for comment.

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