Members of the Municipal Accountability Review Board said West Haven’s purchase of a car for the mayor flouted financial rules.
Andrew Brown
Andrew joined CT Mirror as an investigative reporter in July 2021. Prior to moving to Connecticut, Andrew was a reporter at newspapers in North Dakota, West Virginia and most recently South Carolina. He’s covered business, utilities, environmental issues, the opioid crisis, local government and two state legislatures. Do you have a story tip? Reach Andrew at 843-592-9958
Posted inPolitics
CT treasurer: Don’t change the unclaimed property program yet
Legislation could increase the amount of money returned to CT residents, but treasurer Erick Russell says his office is already overwhelmed.
Posted inJustice
Wife of ex-lawmaker Michael DiMassa sentenced to 6 months
Lauren DiMassa was sentenced to six months in prison for conspiracy despite the fact that she is 23 weeks pregnant.
Posted inJustice
Former West Haven employee sentenced to prison for fraud
John Bernardo was sentenced to 13 months for his part in a scheme to steal COVID funds. Former Rep. Michael DiMassa will be sentenced soon.
Posted inInvestigations
This CT town might buy first selectwoman’s family’s land for new school
Questions of ethics and conflicts are swirling around a proposal to buy land owned by the mother-in-law of Willington’s first selectwoman.
Posted inTransportation
CT lawmakers consider fixes for wrong way crashes, other roadway deaths
CT plans to buy technology that alerts wrong-way drivers. But the DOT commissioner says more can be done — particularly to reduce drunk driving.
Posted inInvestigations
CT paid $1.4M for unauthorized work at former hospital, state says
Officials say they are investigating how much work was done by AAIS, which was paid for asbestos cleanup at Cedarcrest in Newington.
Posted inGovernment
CT oversight board may ask for full state takeover of West Haven
The MARB asked the Attorney General’s office for legislation that would enable the state to control nearly every aspect of city government.
Posted inInvestigations
CT unclaimed property fund hits $1.4B, despite $71M returned
CT has now amassed more than $1.4 billion in various financial assets that could be claimed through the unclaimed property program.
Posted inGovernment
DAS Commissioner grilled about school construction audit during nomination hearing
Lawmakers grilled Michelle Gilman about an audit of CT’s school construction program, which the department of administrative services oversees.
Posted inInvestigations
State says it won’t pay New London for school demolition work
New London officials say Kosta Diamantis told them to hire one company for remediation, but the state says it should have solicited bids.
Posted inGovernment
CT school construction program audit done, but questions remain
The audit did not review interactions between school districts and the school construction grants program, administered by Kosta Diamantis.
Posted inMoney
CT Port Authority is likely to ask for more money for State Pier
Last year, CT Port Authority promised that taxpayers would not need to contribute any more money to the New London State Pier redevelopment.
Posted inPolitics
Lamont, General Assembly begin new terms on upbeat notes
CT Democrats have solid majorities and no deep schisms in their caucuses. Rep. Matt Ritter and Sen. Martin Looney were reelected as leaders.
Posted inHousing
BEST OF 2022: Connecticut towns got $1.5 billion from feds. They’ve budgeted roughly 1% for housing
The failure to spend federal stimulus funds on housing is a missed opportunity to make CT a more affordable place to live, advocates say.