(MYSTIC) - Rob Simmons, candidate for U.S. Senate, made the following statement today in reaction to Senator Dodd's proposed financial services bill:

"Senator Dodd's eleventh hour conversion to consumer activist cannot paper over his central role in creating our current economic crisis and his long and cozy relationship with Wall Street.

"Fueled by millions in campaign contributions, sweetheart loans and delusions of presidential grandeur, it was Senator Dodd's negligence as chairman of the Senate Banking and Housing Committee that led to this economic calamity.

"Now, he is hoping to cover his tracks, but his record is clear - he used his power to block critical reforms to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, arrange millions in bonuses for AIG executives even as they begged for taxpayer bailouts, and secure sweetheart, V.I.P. loans from Countrywide as part of the 'Friends of Angelo' program that is now under investigation by Congress and the Justice Department.

"Senator Dodd is no friend to average Americans, and his belated response to the financial crisis he helped create is nothing more than another transparent attempt to boost his flagging poll numbers."