Occupy Pittsburgh protesters demand investigation of BNY Mellon

By Joe Chilson

Occupy Pittsburgh members gathered outside the Manor Building Downtown Wednesday to demand that… Occupy Pittsburgh members gathered outside the Manor Building Downtown Wednesday to demand that the Pennsylvania attorney general investigate BNY Mellon’s alleged overcharging public pension funds by $2 billion.

BNY Mellon is facing litigation from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for overcharging pension funds by nearly $2 billion. The bank faces similar litigation in California, Virginia, Florida and Massachusetts.

In a press release this month, BNY Mellon refuted the lawsuit.

“The claims in this lawsuit are flat-out wrong, both on the law on the facts,” according to BNY’s statement.

The protesters remained outside the building shouting, “This is what democracy looks like!” in hope that the attorney general’s office would send someone down to speak with them. At one point, the protesters all pulled out their cell phones and called the office simultaneously in order to flood the phone lines.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly’s staff allowed one representative to come inside the Manor Building office. The protesters sent Jill Fleming-Salopek to file a complaint at the attorney general’s office.

Members of the Occupy Pittsburgh movement have been camping out in Mellon Green since a protest on Saturday that drew thousands of people.