The reforms come as a federal investigation of the program under its former director, Kosta Diamantis, is underway.
Andrew Brown
Andrew joined CT Mirror as an investigative reporter in July 2021. Since that time, he's written stories about a state lawmaker who stole $1.2 million in pandemic relief funds, the state Treasurer's failure to return millions of dollars in unclaimed money to Connecticut citizens and an absentee ballot scandal that resulted in a judge tossing out the results of Bridgeport's 2023 Democratic mayoral primary. Prior to moving to Connecticut, Andrew was a reporter at local newspapers in North Dakota, West Virginia and South Carolina. His work focuses primarily on uncovering government corruption but over the course of his career, he has also written stories about the environment, the country's ongoing opioid epidemic and state and local governments. Do you have a story tip? Reach Andrew at 843-592-9958
Posted inPolitics
CT legislators package unclaimed property reform into budget bill
The state treasurer had hoped to return smaller sums to individuals even if they didn’t file a claim, but the new bill would complicate that.
Posted inInvestigations
A CT group home director wants to cash in on her state-funded properties
State ethics officials in 1999 ruled the ownership structure for the group homes was a “direct conflict of interest” under Connecticut law.
Posted inGovernment
CT Senate votes to allow workers to opt out of ‘captive audience’ meetings
The Senate voted 23-11 to pass the bill, which would make Connecticut the second state in the country to ban such meetings, alongside Oregon.
Posted inInvestigations
Emails show more involvement of Kosta Diamantis in daughter’s job search
Kosta Diamantis showed a special interest in his daughter’s quest for state employment on a number of occasions in early 2020, emails show.
Posted inMoney
CT officials vote to increase state control over West Haven’s finances
The Municipal Accountability Review Board voted to tighten its grip over West Haven’s spending even as the city’s leaders objected.
Posted inGovernment
Auditors slam state for oversight of program run by Kosta Diamantis
The auditors found officials mismanaged audits and failed to enforce price caps meant to hold down costs for local school building projects.
Posted inInvestigations
Some construction audits were performed years late, reviewed by Diamantis himself
A review of 80 audits reveals a dysfunctional system for examining and managing billions of dollars in school construction projects.
Posted inMoney
Audit: West Haven misspent $893,000 in federal relief funding
Officials are considering a takeover of West Haven’s finances after an audit found the city misspent federal pandemic relief funding.
Posted inGovernment
CT lawmakers debate bill to automatically return unclaimed property
The state treasurer’s office is advocating for legislation to automatically return unclaimed money to Connecticut residents.
Posted inInvestigations
Enfield subpoenaed as part of widening probe into school construction
The subpoena ordered local officials in Enfield to turn over seven years of records related to school building projects and Kosta Diamantis.
Posted inMoney
CT lawmakers push bill to forgive unemployment ‘overpayments’
The bill would allow thousands of people to avoid repaying unemployment benefits to the state and federal government.
Posted inInvestigations
West Haven paid now-indicted contractor $85,400 to pick up leaf bags
State officials overseeing West Haven’s finances are now questioning whether they should increase their oversight.
Posted inInvestigations
Kosta Diamantis advocated ‘hybrid’ school building setup despite pushback
Kosta Diamantis convinced lawmakers in 2019 to OK a hybrid school construction model that would allow management firms to “self-perform” work
Posted inInvestigations
CT officials tell towns they won’t honor Diamantis’ promises for school funding
Hartford and Farmington now have to come up with millions of dollars in school building costs they expected the state to cover.