Conn. (WFSB) – The Republican Candidate for Governor is asking the legislature for an investigation into the state’s Banking Commissioner
In a story the I-Team broke last month, we told you multiple employees have accused the Commissioner of bullying, intimidation and being asleep on the job.
The Commissioner denies the allegations, and says a medical condition makes it look like he’s sleeping.
State Senator Ryan Fazio is weighing in after the Governor told the I-Team; he’s leaving the complaints up to HR.
The I-Team found eight complaints have been filed against Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez since 2024. They mention a fear of retaliation for speaking up, the same thing more than 15 employees have told the I-Team on and off camera.
Many of the complaints reference humiliation, with several banking employees describing his behavior as hostile. They say Commissioner Perez has threatened to fire people, insulted employees in front of their colleagues, and berated staff in public settings.
The I-Team also revealed two pictures, taken by employees, appear to show Commissioner Perez sleeping; his head slumped over, eyes closed. Complaints detail sleeping during department meetings and meetings with outside organizations, for years.
Despite several requests for an on-camera interview, Commissioner Perez has declined. Instead, he issued a written statement, saying “what appears to be sleeping is not the case,” adding he has a medical condition the state is aware of, and accommodating.
Senator Ryan Fazio, who is running for Governor, says Governor Lamont isn’t doing enough. “Well listen, you need to hold people in senior leadership accountable. There’s a higher expectation and a higher standard for people who are commissioners or senior members of state government above and beyond rank-and-file members.”
Perez was appointed to the role of commissioner in 2015 by Governor Malloy and re-appointed in 2019 by Governor Lamont. In 2022, Governor Lamont extended his time as Commissioner.
The Governor originally told us on-camera on August 18th, his office is working with employees on an ongoing review. Employees I spoke with, more than a dozen, have no idea what’s he talking about.On August 25th, we went back to the Governor.
We pointed out to the Governor, in our most recent interview on August 18th, the Governor’s Office said they “had an ongoing review.” The I-Team asked what that review looks like if the Governor’s Office is not directly speaking with employees.
The Governor said, “look, it means that it starts with HR, and we elevate that up and make sure there’s counseling going on. The commissioner and others make sure that with employees there, we take care. DAS steps it up as well. Look, we have 45,000 employees. Not everybody’s always happy with their boss. In this case, we’re going to make sure that we get to the bottom of this, and people realize that we’re listening to them.”
In response, the I-Team asked if he is listening to employees, because “they feel like that’s not happening.” We reminded him that DAS is their HR. The Governor said, “We’ll talk to the DAS. We’re talking to these folks, and the commissioner has some counseling going on. Thanks.”
The CT Department of Administrative Services, also known as DAS, told us Commissioner Perez received a verbal warning, and continued coaching and counseling, based on 8 complaints.
Commissioner Perez says he was only informed of three. Employees want to know why. In follow-up questions, a DAS spokesperson said, “As a general practice, our agency does not provide comments on personnel matters.”
SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE GET INVOLVED?
Employees are asking for a review outside of DAS, to answer the many questions they have about how their complaints were handled.
“I think the legislature should hold hearings to understand what’s going on in the Department of Banking. Your reporting not only showed dissatisfaction among employees, but when dealing with external businesses and external regulators or agencies that independently evaluate the industry, there was a lack of professionalism in conduct,” says Senator Fazio.
Employees say there are those outside the banking department who also take issue with the Commissioner’s behavior.
One complaint specifically noted that bank and credit union CEO’s “have commented on the lack of professionalism and comments the commissioner has made.”
At least two mentioned his “inappropriate, unprofessional and embarrassing” conduct with a National Accreditation team that visited two years ago, saying he frequently interrupted them, dismissed suggestions, and “struck the table” after “refusing to let them talk.”
”It’s important to our entire state economy that there are businesses that are investing here, that they can work with the regulators here, and so on. These are important questions for our entire state and our entire state economy, and taxpayers deserve answers,” says Senator Fazio.
We asked the Governor to respond to Fazio’s call for the legislature to get involved. He provided us with this written statement, saying:
“Connecticut’s executive branch employs more than 32,000 people, and making sure they have a fair, respectful workplace while still delivering for taxpayers is a responsibility I take seriously. Every employee complaint is looked into by HR, in consultation with EEO and OLR where appropriate. Leadership determines appropriate next steps in accordance with labor agreements and state policy.
“In the case of the Department of Banking, employees have been subject to disciplinary actions and additional training as appropriate. I understand outcomes of complaint investigations may not satisfy everyone involved, including the person who filed the complaint. But it reflects a real process—not a decision made from the sidelines—and I stand behind that process.
“My focus remains on ensuring the Department of Banking maintains strong oversight and enforcement to protect our consumers.”
NEW STATEMENT FROM COMMISSIONER JORGE PEREZ:
Last week, we emailed the Commissioner for comment on our latest report, about a manager at the Department of Banking the state had suspended for sexual harassment. You can read that investigation HERE.
In his reply, Commissioner Perez added this statement at the bottom saying in part:
“I would also like to let you know that I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my communication style and I’m committed to addressing the concerns raised. I have been receiving continued coaching and counseling, and under HR’s guidance, I’m working to become a better communicator. My commitment to the mission of this department is still strong.”
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