Colin McEnroe wants to know why Richard Blumenthal endorsed Eddie Perez back in 2007, when the case against Perez had already been laid out.
Blumenthal's words of support for Perez actually made news. I. Charles Matthews, Thirman Milner and Art Feltman, who were all also running for mayor, expressed concern over the AG's embrace of a man already the subject of a criminal probe.
From a Sept. 21, 2007 story by former Courant staffer Dan Goren:
Blumenthal said that although Perez admitted making a mistake by hiring a city contractor to do a $20,000 renovation of his bathroom and kitchen, that misstep is minor compared to Perez's record of leadership and achievement.
``I have complete trust in Eddie Perez's integrity, his honesty and his dedication,'' Blumenthal said.
Later, questioned by The Courant, Blumenthal -- who said an investigation into Perez is far from ``actual charges'' -- hedged, saying, ``If there are further disclosures that show a basis for criminal charges and those criminal charges are brought, those will be factors in the election as they would be in my decision whether to endorse him.''
Blumenthal wasn't the only top Democrat to fall in line behind Perez. According to Goren, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, state Comptroller Nancy Wyman, Democratic State Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo, state Treasurer Denise L. Nappier, city Treasurer Kathleen Palm, Hartford Democratic Town Chairman Noel McGregor and state Rep. Kelvin Roldan, D-Hartford, all appeared at press conference at the Legislative Office Building in support of Perez.