Governor and Executive Council discuss Theobald's case in private. The council then voted unanimously to seal the minutes.
Ed Theobald has been under fire since July for not immediately disclosing that he was offered an ownership stake in a company seeking state investment……..Since then, the retirement systems trustees ruled that Theobald violated their code of ethics……..Governor Lynch has meanwhile promised that he won't nominate Theobald to serve another term at the helm of the state's five billion dollar retirement fund……..But the executive council, which must approve any replacement, has shown few signs they're in any hurry to see Theobald go……..The reasons for this have never been clear…….And didn't become any clearer during at yesterday's council meeting……..
"We didn't hear any nominations to replace Ed Theobald."
That's District one Councilor Ray Burton……..In the past, Burton's said his constituents feel Theobald's done a good job…..But when asked to talk about Theobald yesterday, Burton first took pains to defer direct comment.
"I'm just a chore boy on the side. You know, I'm just a country boy from up north."
Before he ultimately concluded it would be inappropriate to say anything at all.
"It's a personnel matter -- we can't discuss it."
Burton's bottom line was echoed by every councilor willing to comment………and that included the District 3's Deborah Pignattelli, the council's sole democrat.
"We did agree to not speak out about it and I voted to seal the minutes. And I'm not going to break that."
The Council's united front clearly rankled Governor Lynch……He's repeatedly stressed that Theobald's private sector work marketing investments to public employee pension funds raises serious conflict of interest questions. Speaking to reporters after yesterday's council meeting, Lynch stressed that his intent to replace Theobald hasn't changed……
"This isn’t a question of who can work a political process. It's a question of making sure our retirement system runs well."
The Governor then criticized the council's actions.
"I strongly supported the discussion being held in the open, and I made that point right at the breakfast this morning. Anything I have to say about the situation I have been willing to say in public and I will continue to do that."
And on that last point at least, Lynch and Ed Theobald seem to be in agreement……Theobald has called for his case to be aired in pubically.….According to his lawyer Dick Molan, all Theobald wants is a change to counter whatever allegations people want to make.
"Our whole position has been, look, if you've got questions than the best way to air those is do it in public -- or do it in private, but they haven’t given either opportunity. He's in the position fo responding to anything they chose to release, and that's all he's looking for."
Governor Lynch says he hopes to nominate Theobald's replacement as soon as he can……..He says he's talked to candidates for the job but has yet to make his final selection.
