Comments on Changing the Disciplinary Process

AT THE END OF OUR ARTICLE detailing proposals under consider­ation by the Council of U.S. Presidents (CUSP) to reform the disciplinary process (“Your Comments, Please: Changing the Disciplinary Process,” May/June 2010 Contingencies), Roger Hayne and I invited readers to respond. A dozen Contingencies readers took us up on our offer, send­ing thoughtful, often detailed replies.

You were asked to consider and comment on six questions. Some of the 12 who wrote offered point-by-point responses to one, more, or all of the questions. Others provided more gen­eral comments. Because of the length of the responses, I must limit myself to summarizing them. But rest assured, CUSP reviewed all the responses in their entirety as part of a process that is ex­pected to lead to a vote later this year by all five U.S.-based actuarial organizations to amend their respective bylaws to insti­tute discipline reforms effective for 2012.

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Balancing Disclosure and Privacy

Does the current actuarial discipline process appropriately balance the need to observe due process and protect a sub­ject actuary who might be falsely accused with the need to protect the public? If not, which protection should take prior­ity over the other?

One writer stated that the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline (ABCD) should participate directly in litigation discovery. Another called the current process a kangaroo court and recommended eliminating all disciplin­ary actions in lieu of counseling only.

Given how long it takes for a case to be resolved, an actuary shouldn’t be allowed to game the system, one respon­dent wrote. This could have a negative effect on the public, the writer added, explaining that in rare instances the ABCD might need-at an early stage-to publicize the case if the disclosed activ­ity is determined to be a violation of the Code of Professional Conduct with a po­tential adverse effect on the public.

In a related vein, another respondent opined that the discipline process is over­ly concerned with protecting the actuary. This is reflected in the extreme level of secrecy surrounding the process, the re­spondent wrote, a level of secrecy that can continue even after a subject actuary has been found to be in breach of the code.

Suspending Discipline Pending the Outcome of Litigation

The ABCD process focuses on potential material violations of the Code of Profes­sional Conduct, while criminal and civil proceedings focus on violation of the law or commission of a tort. Under what cir­cumstances, if any, should the disciplinary process be suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings? If such circumstances exist, should the suspension continue while the subject actuary appeals a verdict?

Respondents to this question defi­nitely held mixed opinions. These ranged from not suspending the disci­plinary process under any circumstances to suspending the disciplinary process when the litigation is related to actuarial practice. On the side of not suspending the process, opinions included moving forward until a court orders otherwise or unless the subject actuary is willing to temporarily suspend his/her mem­bership in the actuarial organization(s). On the other side of the issue, one writer held that the disciplinary process should be suspended during litigation that is not related to actuarial practice.

High-Profile Cases

Suppose the subject actuary has been convicted of fraud or another felony in a high-profile (nationally publicized) case. Should the public know, after a high ­profile conviction, if he or she is involved in ABCD disciplinary proceedings? If so, how would you define “high profile”? Should the ABCD keep its proceedings confidential in a high-profile case until it has made its recommendation to the mem­bership organization or beyond that point (i.e., until all membership organization appeals have been exhausted)?

Most of those who responded were in favor of informing the public regarding high-profile (public) cases. Four stated that the public should be informed that a case is being investigated or that the disciplinary process is being suspended while the subject is in litigation. Respon­dents also generally endorsed informing the public after a subject actuary has been convicted in court, but only if it relates to the disciplinary action being considered by the ABCD. The Current Discipline Process How should the level of discipline be determined?

Two respondents argued for creating penalty guidelines; one also recommend­ed that such guidelines be made public. Two others stated that any such guide­lines should fit the infraction/violation in question. And two others cautioned that the actuarial organizations should not be permitted to reduce more serious penalties recommended by the ABCD.

Tombstones

How much detail should the member­ship organization publish about cases involving public discipline (public rep­rimand, suspension, or expulsion)?

On this question, two respondents endorsed the level of information cur­rently provided while one stated that more information could be provided if requested for a valid reason. Four others, however, said the information provided should be detailed enough so that mem­bers can gain a full understanding of the issue and learn from it.

(lnter)Disciplinary Proposal

Does it appear that the proposed process is more efficient and more apt to result in uniform discipline across the profession? What are the potential downsides to this proposed process?

Nearly half of all respondents agreed that uniformity of process is a good ob­jective. A more efficient process would resolve cases faster, one wrote in as­sessing the need and goals for reform. But before effecting change, reformers should focus first on the transparency of the process, another stated. Once that challenge is resolved, efficiency and uni­formity can be addressed.

One writer questioned whether the ac­tuarial organizations are making changes prematurely. Two others recommended a period of study of other professional organizations, such as doctors (AMA), lawyers (ABA), and accountants (AICPA), with an eye to ensuring development of a comprehensive proposal.

Another argued that the ABCD should not appoint disciplinary panels because it represents a conflict of inter­est. It would be better, this respondent wrote, for each actuarial organization to have its own disciplinary panel and ap­peal panel and that the chairpersons of those panels would be members of a profession-wide disciplinary review board and appeal review board).

Other Comments

Some of those who responded to the questions took the opportunity to speak to other issues, as well. One writer won­dered whether Roger and I overstated the capabilities of ABCD since the relatively small number of cases that the ABCD handles, coupled with term limits, means that board members don’t have sufficient knowledge of history and precedent to be effective. The disciplinary committees of the respective U.S. actuarial organi­zations, on the other hand, have more experience and are therefore more ca­pable of passing judgment.

Another respondent argued that the disciplinary committee(s) should be permitted only to accept or reject the penalty recommended by the ABCD. The ABCD should present the case directly to the disciplinary committee(s) and the committee(s) should not be per­mitted to hear new evidence.

While one writer suggested that it would be good to harmonize the disci­plinary process with the Joint Board for Enrolled Actuaries, another questioned whether the proposal to reform the disci­plinary process across the five U.S.-based actuarial organizations violates antitrust rules. Having one body handle all actu­arial discipline, this individual wrote, would eliminate the antitrust risk.

ROBERT J. RIETZ is a member of the ABCD.

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