Pets, Bussing Tables, and 54,000 Legal Cases

Students at peppered the visiting Connecticut Attorney General with questions on Tuesday afternoon, finding out about the office and the man himself.

George Jepsen, who was elected to the state post in November, made the appearance on the invitation of principal Anne Tortora after she saw a notice that he would be visiting schools. Tortora said the visit coincided with Catholic Schools Civics Month.

“This was a great experience for them,” said Tortora. “I don’t know the next time they’ll have an opportunity like this.”

“It was great for the kids,” said Father Robert Washabaugh, pastor at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church. “I think what characterized it for me was, especially with the older kids, they were very intelligent questions.”

Jepsen said his office handles 54,000 cases a year. One of the most challenging aspects is finding efficiencies, he said. Among the matters he is working on are the question of how to balance protection of declining lobster populations with the needs of the state’s lobstermen, as well as taking on large banks that contributed to the financial crisis in order to provide relief for homeowners.

“I get up every morning and be helpful to other people,” he said. “It’s very rewarding.”

Jepsen also said the students should not take part in bullying in any form, whether in person or online.

“Kids shouldn’t show up in school and be in fear or feel intimidated,” he said.

Other questions looked more into Jepsen’s personal life and background. He said he has always been interested in politics, and knew that going into law was a good way to enter the field. His jobs included being a busboy and working in a seedy motel to help get through law school. From other questions, Jepsen said he enjoys cooking and that he has two dogs and three cats as pets.

“Do you like your job so far?” one student asks.

“Yeah, I love it,” Jepsen responded. “I can’t believe they pay me to do this.”