Faced with questions about a recent real estate transaction, Gov. Peter Shumlin on Thursday accused a Vermont reporter of practicing tabloid journalism and then stormed out of a press conference he himself called.

Though Shumlin had gathered reporters to announce a federal grant, many of their questions focused on the governor’s acquisition of 27 acres of land in East Montpelier this July, on which he is building a 2200 square-foot “cabin.” As Vermont Press Bureau reporter Peter Hirschfeld reported Wednesday, the real estate deal involved several friends who have contributed to the governor’s campaign.

After answering some questions about the transaction and declining to answer others, Shumlin lost his cool and went after Hirschfeld, who had posed several questions about the governor’s decision to buy the property through a limited liability corporation.

“You gonna criticize me now for forming an LLC before the rest of Vermont and America?” Shumlin snapped at Hirschfeld.

“I’m just wondering why you would want —,” Hirschfeld responded, before the governor cut him off mid-sentence.

“I’m just wondering what you’re digging for, Peter,” the governor said.

Hirschfeld responded, “The question is why would you want to escape liability for incidents that —”

“Have you moved from the Vermont Press Bureau to the National Enquirer?” Shumlin interjected.

At this point the exchange became hard to follow, as other reporters [Disclosure: including this one] attempted to jump in. As Hirschfeld sought to ask the question again, Shumlin said, “It’s been great seeing you,” and stormed out of the room.

Paul Heintz was part of the Seven Days news team from 2012 to 2020. He served as political editor and wrote the "Fair Game" political column before becoming a staff writer.

16 replies on “Facing Questions About East Montpelier Property, Shumlin Storms Out of Press Conference”

  1. “I didn’t get a gift from anybody. We gave each other gifts”
    Umm, if you gave each other gifts, then would that mean you got a gift? I know my intellect isn’t up to that of the great and wonderful governor, but it seems to me that if you gave someone a gift and they gave you a gift then you received a gift.
    “Who’s going to be living there with you? 2200 square feet. It’s a big house.”
    I’m guessing it isn’t Mrs. Shumlin.

  2. I know and like former Governor Douglas and can assure you my comment would have been the same.

  3. Of course, if this had happened to Gov. Douglas, Mr. Bressor would consider it a valid inquiry. Hirshfeld and Galloway were entirely right to inquire into our wheeler-dealer, millionaire Governor’s real estate investment practices.

  4. sounds to me like he brokered a deal between some rich out-of-town folks and someone in Montpelier looking to unload some land…and his commission was a very cheap slice of that land

  5. I cannot believe how clueless Hirshfeld is. What is so hard to understand about someone getting control of a piece of property and deciding to share it with your friends. The Vermont Press Bureau needs to hire a person with at least a basic understanding of the law before sending them out to harass a public official. People wonder why most people will not run for public office. It is because they don’t want to be tormented by idiots like Hirshfeld. I often don’t agree with the governor, but I hope it is over real issues.

  7. Seems like a tempest in a tea pot to me. Nothing wrong with forming an LLC for any purpose and nothing wrong with buying into a property with friends and making a deal.

  8. The reporters attending the conference should be commended for their integrity and willingness to report facts to the citizens of the State of Vermont and the country. As a citizen, I am grateful for the service and efforts of journalists who demonstrate commitment to our communities.

Comments are closed.