Draft:List of Connecticut political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the State of Connecticut. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest. Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included. Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal. Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence. Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included. Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings. The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later. Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Connecticut

• Michael DiMassa (D) State Representative from West Haven in District 116 and an Administrative Assistant to the City of West Haven, was accused of stealing $636,000 of Covid funds from the city, which he used for gambling and personal expenses. He was found guilty, resigned his state seat and was sentenced to two years in jail with five years supervision and ordered to repay the money. (2020)

• Angel Arce (D) State Representative of Hartford in the 4th District, was discovered to have sent messages to a 16 year old girl. Though not explicit, they were deemed inappropriate and he was urged to resign. Which he did. (2018)

• Steven Baleshiski (R) Candidate for State Representative from the 30th District, was condemned for remarks he had made on Facebook. One of which stated that a student survivor of the Parkland, FL mass shooting should “rot in hell.” He also stated that Muslims embrace “worshipping the devil.” The GOP refused to continue to support his campaign and he dropped out of the race. (2018)

• Stephen P. Wright (D) State Board of Education, was found guilty of violating the probations of four previous Driving Under the Influence convictions, all of which he had gotten within six weeks. He was sentenced to seven months in jail. (2017)

• Victor Cuevas Sr. (D) State Representative from Waterbury in the 75th District, was accused of bank fraud for using Federal Housing Administration funds to buy a condominium for his son. He was found guilty, resigned his position, sentenced to 1 year probation and fined $1K. (2016)

• George Gallo (R) Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party and Chief of Staff to Minority Leader Larry F. Cafero (R) was investigated for steering Republican Party campaign business to a direct mail company which was providing him with 10% kickbacks. After making false statements about the pay-to-play scheme, he pled guilty to one count of mail fraud and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. (2012)

• Christina Ayala (D) State Representative from Bridgeport, was found guilty of voting in districts in which she did not live. She was given one year suspended sentence and barred from public office for two years. (2014)

• Joshua Nassi (D) Campaign Manager to Democratic State Representative Christopher G. Donovan and candidate for the US House of Representatives. Nassi pled guilty to making false statements about illegal contributions from tobacco shops. He was sentenced to 28 months in prison and fined. (2012)

• Robert Braddock, Jr. (D) Finance Director to Democratic State Representative Christopher G. Donovan (D) and candidate for the US House of Representatives. Braddock was investigated for disguising $30,000 in campaign donations to Donovan which came from tobacco shops. Braddock was found guilty and sentenced to 38 months in prison. (2012)

• Thomas Gaffey (D) State Senator from Meriden in the 13th District, was accused of double dipping from both the state and PAC expense accounts for travel expenses. He pled guilty to six counts of larceny and was given six months suspended sentence, 100 hours of community service, and fined $6,000. He also resigned his seat. (2011)

• Ernie Newton (politician) Jr. (D) State Senator from Bridgeport, was accused of accepting bribes and pilfering his campaign account of $40,000 for personal use. He was found guilty of bribery, mail fraud and tax evasion and was sentenced to five years in prison. (2007)

• Louis DeLuca (R) State Senator and Senate Minority Leader from Woodbury in the 32nd District, was charged with second-degree conspiracy to threaten. He pled guilty to a charge of asking an associate to threaten someone Mr. DeLuca believed was physically abusing his granddaughter. He was found guilty and received a six-month suspended sentence on the threat charge. He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and donate $1,500 to charity. He resigned his seat. (2007)

• John G. Rowland (R) Governor, was accused of taking $100,000 in gifts and bribes which included hot tubs, home improvements and chartered trips. He abruptly resigned his position before impeachment. At trial, he was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to a year and a day in prison. (2004)

1. Peter Ellef (R) Chief of Staff to Republican Governor John G. Rowland was accused of accepting cash, gold, lavish meals and other gratuities from companies that do business with the state in exchange for preferential treatment. He was found guilty of tax fraud and bribery and sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $100,000 for restitution. (2006)
2. Lawrence E. Alibozek (R) Deputy Chief of Staff to former Republican Governor John G. Rowland, was accused of accepting cash, gold, and lavish meals from state contractors in exchange for preferential treatment of contractors. He was found guilty, but due to his co-operation was given a sentence of only one year of home confinement, four years of supervision and a fine of $100,000 in restitution. (2004)

See also

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• List of federal political scandals in the United States
• List of federal political sex scandals in the United States
• List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes

References

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Categories:

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• Connecticut-related lists
• Political history of Connecticut