Shumlin Appoints Former State Rep to Investigate Sorrell

Attorney General Bill Sorrell testifies before the Senate Committee on Government Operations Tuesday. Credit: File: Paul Heintz

Gov. Peter Shumlin has appointed Burlington lawyer Tom Little to investigate whether Attorney General Bill Sorrell broke the law, the governor’s office announced Friday.

Little, who served in the Vermont House for 10 years and chaired its judiciary committee, currently serves as vice president and general counsel of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation.

He will work with an eight-member panel of state’s attorneys to investigate whether Sorrell violated campaign finance rules, according to Shumlin spokesman Scott Coriell.

“There is broad consensus, including from Attorney General Sorrell, that it makes sense to have an independent counsel look into this matter,” Shumlin said in a written statement. “Working with the states attorneys, I have appointed Tom Little to serve in that role. Tom has a well-deserved reputation for integrity and common sense in both his public and private life. I am grateful to Tom for taking on this role.”

Last month, Charlotte attorney and Vermont Republican Party vice chairman Brady Toensing filed a complaint with Sorrell’s office alleging he violated several laws related to campaign fundraising and spending. Toensing’s complaint was largely based on reporting by Seven Days.

Little serves as Seven Days‘ legal counsel, but he did not review the stories in question.

“Tom’s relationship with Seven Days is known to all parties and will be addressed by Tom as any other potential conflict of interest would be,” Coriell said.

Little declined a request for comment. WCAX-TV first reported the news of Little’s hiring.