Well said. Honestly.
So, let's play out the theories:
1) The pension managers WERE some of the most sophisticated investors on the planet.
So what the hell happened? You originally called them "irresponsible." Now you've edited to call them "stupid." What's your theory about what happened to these world-class investors? My point being, they can't simultaneously be in the "most sophisticated" class, and also in the "irresponsible" / "stupid" class.
Kickbacks? Got overly greedy and mis-fired? It could happen to literally anyone? Bad luck?
2) The pension managers WERE NOT some of the most sophisticated investors on the planet.
I agree with your assessment that they SHOULD HAVE BEEN. So what the hell happened? Did they lie when they were hired? Did they have a great track record (luck?), but flubbed this? Or did the person who hired them and put them in charge (the mayor?) trust someone they shouldn't have?
The real victims are the pensioners, and this story should be investigated. If not on their behalf, then as a lesson for other pensioners, pension managers, and the people who manage pension managers.