Conn. (WFSB) – It was a story the I-Team broke two weeks ago; the state’s Banking Commissioner accused of being asleep on the job, bullying and intimidating employees. The Commissioner says hehas a medical condition and is respectful to those who work for him
After our story aired, more employees reached out to the I-Team, wanting to talk about Commissioner Jorge Perez. They say they’ve never heard from the Governor’s Office, despite what the Governor told us.
I have now talked to more than 15 current and former Department of Banking employees. They describe a department run by fear, all mention a culture of retaliation and bullying. The commissioner denies all of these allegations.
Records show 8 have filed HR complaints with the state, others tell the I-Team they were encouraged by HR not to file written complaints and have verbal meetings instead.
When we asked the governor last week about the accusations, he told me his office is working with employees. Employees I spoke with, have no idea what’s he talking about. “We’re talking to the employees there all the time to make sure it’s a work environment where everybody wants to be there and feel good about the work they’re doing,” said Governor Ned Lamont on August 18th, after the I-Team asked if his office would do a review of complaints filed against current Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez.
Since 2024, eight different workers at the state Department of Banking filed complaints with the Department of Administrative Services, which handles human resources for the department. The I-Team has spoken with more than a dozen current and former workers, on and off camera as well. All are worried there will be retaliation for speaking out.
The complaints allege Commissioner Perez has threatened to fire people, insulted employees in front of their colleagues, and berated staff in public settings. Sleeping on the job also came up. Pictures, taken by employees, appear to show Perez sleeping, his head slumped over, eyes closed. Complaints detail sleeping during department meetings and meetings with outside organizations – for years. Commissioner Perez told the I-Team in a written statement “what appears to be sleeping is not the case,” saying he has a medical condition the state is aware of, and accommodating. He declined to go on camera, despite multiple requests.
Perez was appointed in 2015 by Governor Malloy and re-appointed in 2019 by Governor Lamont. The I-Team went back to the Governor a week after we last spoke to him. We asked the Governor about his statement, saying “you’re (the Governor’s Office is) talking to employees there all the time. We then told the Governor “more than a dozen employees say they’ve never spoken with the Governor’s office, including people who have filed official complaints.”
In response the Governor said, “we have HR. You know, they do personnel issues. They’ve certainly been said, go get to the bottom of this. Talk to these people. Make sure that, you know, we have all the facts in front of us. We’ve asked the commissioner. He’s working with HR in terms of counseling and ways to make sure we make the lines of communication better than they are today.” The I-Team followed up in the moment, asking if he is saying, the Governor’s office talks with these employees or you (the Governor’s Office) talk to DAS and tell them to talk to these employees.
The Governor responded, saying, “I think it’s HR and Human Resources probably speaking right at Banking right now, if I had to say, taking the lead there. DAS will step in if we need another level.”
DAS provides human resource support for the Department of Banking, it is not a separate department. They told the I-Team Commissioner Perez received a “verbal warning, continued coaching and counseling,” based on the 8 complaints filed against him.
Commissioner Perez told the I-Team in an email he was only informed by HR of three complaints against him. Employees want to know why that was. Employees say they were never told about coaching from HR, and have not seen a change in behavior. We brought the employees’ concerns to the Governor, saying “the employees came to us because they said HR is not communicating with them. And many of them have filed complaints and seen them gone nowhere. And so that’s why we came to you, because they want the Governor’s Office to be involved now. The Governor responded, “I think I’m going to go through the process. HR take the lead on this, then go to DAS. They can oversee this. Look, there are a lot of reasons. Sometimes people have disagreements with their boss. So we got to get to the bottom of this and make sure that the lines of communication open. People are enthusiastic every day about showing up for work. Frankly, most of them are remote in the banking office to be more exact, but do what we can to make sure we take care of folks.”
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.”
We pointed out to the Governor in our most review, that on August 18th, he the Governor’s Office “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, 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 DAS. We’re talking to these folks, and the commissioner has some counseling going on. Thanks.”
We asked DAS when the coaching happened, a spokesperson said, “As a general practice, our agency does not provide comments on personnel matters.” They did not respond when we asked if any complaints had ever been recommended to EEO or Office of Labor Relations.
Employees say since the Governor has direct oversight over a Commissioner, they are once again asking for a review to “ensure that complaints are being handled properly and mistreatment of employees is no longer taking place.” Regarding the allegations, this is a full statement Commissioner Perez gave us in response to the allegations. Parts of the statement aired in our August 20th story.
“It is unfortunate that concerns raised by members of my management team have become the subject of a media report. While I respect every employee’s right to raise concerns through the appropriate channels, I do not agree with the characterization of my leadership reflected in those allegations.” (I-Team note: to be clear, the complaints reference employees from all levels in the Department).
“From my first day as Commissioner, my priority has been to protect Connecticut residents by ensuring compliance with our banking laws while fostering a professional and respectful workplace. My management style is direct and focused on accountability because the work of the Department has significant impact on consumers and the financial institutions we regulate. To the best of my recollection, I have always treated members of my management team with professionalism and respect, even when addressing difficult issues or performance expectations. The complaints raised in this report have been reviewed or investigated by established human resources processes. I do not direct those reviews or determine their findings or outcomes.”
“I welcome constructive feedback and I’m always willing to improve my communication and leadership skills. When practical and appropriate, I’m committed to implement suggestions that help strengthen our workplace. At the same time, accountability is essential part of public service, and I believe every member of the Department’s team has a responsibility to perform the duties entrusted to them.”
“I also want to emphasize that the Department is made up of an outstanding team of examiners, attorneys, analysts, and support staff who work diligently every day on behalf of Connecticut residents. Their professionalism and dedication should not be overshadowed by the allegations of a small number of individuals.”
“Over the past ten years, the Department has delivered measurable results for Connecticut consumers. Through enforcement actions, restitution, reimbursements, and rescission offers, the Department has secured more than $138 million on behalf of Consumers. Strong and consistent regulatory enforcement has also resulted in more than $163 million in penalties and sanctions. At the same time, Connecticut has become a recognized leader in attracting financial technology companies promoting innovation while creating jobs and supporting economic growth.”
“I remain committed to leading the Department with integrity, professionalism, accountability and a steadfast focus on serving the people of Connecticut.”
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
