Gov. Lamont stands by Goldman Sachs nominee

David Lehman, a former Goldman Sachs banker who is Gov. Ned Lamont’s nominee for a top economic-development job, remains on-track to start work next week, after the governor on Monday reconfirmed his support, despite questions raised by Hearst Connectict Media Group Columnist Colin McEnroe.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, especially Colin who’s been a columnist for years,” said Maribel La Luz, Lamont’s director of communications. “We’re looking forward to discussing David’s background, experience and expertise, as well as his thoughts about how to get Connecticut’s economy growing again, when he begins his new role.”

In the column, McEnroe recounted that Lehman was co-chairman of a Goldman Sachs division that peddled “structured products” to customers as part of a way to make money on the Great Recession and socalled collateralized debt obligations that treated home mortgages like assets at a time when the housing bubble burst.

Lehman is scheduled to start his job as commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, and senior economic adviser, on February 19. His nomination and public hearing before the legislative Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee, has not yet been scheduled.

State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, ranking member of the nominations Committee, which will review Lehman’s candidacy, said Monday that the panel will be exploring his credentials.

“As with all of the governor's nominees that will come before our panel, we look forward to questioning Mr. Lehman on a variety of issues, and getting his views on his approach to economic development,” Perillo said. “His Wall Street experience, I'm sure, will be of interest to the committee.”

Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz is taking a wait-and-see approach.

“He clearly has the confidence of the governor to promote the interests of our state, and appears to have the professional experience that can translate well into encouraging economic and business growth here,” said Aresimowicz, D-Berlin. “An incoming governor makes hundreds of appointments throughout state government, many of which, including the DECD commissioner, requires an affirming vote by the legislature, so I’m looking forward to hearing his vision for this very important agency.”

“The General Assembly is just beginning the process of reviewing Governor Lamont’s nominee for DECD Commissioner,” said Senate Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven. “I anticipate that we will undertake a thorough examination of the experience and background of Mr. Lehman.”

Susan Haigh / Associated Press David Lehman, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s nominee for state economic and community development commissioner and his senior economic adviser, was the target of a column last week from Hearst’s Colin McEnroe.