Officials are preparing to audit how Connecticut’s 169 towns and cities spent roughly $60 million in federal COVID relief funding.
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 inMoney
Documents: CT city used COVID relief funds to hire a marching band
West Haven officials spent COVID relief funds on a marching band for the city’s Memorial Day parade documents show.
Posted inMoney
State to audit West Haven officials’ use of federal pandemic relief funds
Auditors are to review overtime-related pay that went to several West Haven officials as part of an ongoing investigation.
Posted inPolitics
CT Rep. Michael DiMassa resigns from legislature following charges he stole federal relief funds
DiMassa’s resignation comes less than a week after he was indicted for allegedly stealing federal relief money.
Posted inPolitics
Documents: Indicted CT lawmaker DiMassa wasn’t the only one to sign off on invoices
Documents show how Michael DiMassa, a state lawmaker, allegedly funneled over $636,000 to an alleged shell company he created.
Posted inPolitics
State Rep. Michael DiMassa facing federal charge
The West Haven Democrat allegedly misappropriated more than $636,000 in federal pandemic relief funding from the city of West Haven.
Posted inPolitics
State looking into West Haven’s use of federal funds as mayor cites potential fraud
The mayor said an audit identified problems with how the municipality managed $1.2 million it received through the CARES Act.
Posted inInvestigations
CT lawmakers call on state to forgive unemployment overpayments for thousands
The lawmakers say the burden of correcting the overpayments shouldn’t be on people who filed their applications in good faith.
Posted inInvestigations
State to thousands who got unemployment money: Give it back
State officials have issued thousands of letters instructing some people to repay unemployment benefits they received during the pandemic.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
How widespread are PFAS chemicals? CT officials are about to inspect more than 2,400 locations
Over the next two years, some 2,400 sites in Connecticut will be inspected for possible contamination with PFAS chemicals.
Posted inJustice
As deadline approaches, some CT police departments still don’t have body cameras
It remains unclear how many municipal police officers are wearing body cameras and how many still need them.
Posted inGovernment
As the COVID delta variant spreads, some CT town leaders revive lockdown-era practices
Some Connecticut cities are reverting to virtual public meetings and reimplementing mask mandates in government buildings.
Posted inHealth
More children are being vaccinated, but rate of COVID cases continues to climb in Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont’s office reported an additional 295 cases Thursday out of 13,270 tests, amounting to a 2.2% positivity rate.
Posted inHealth
Connecticut to receive $300 million from settlement with opioid distributors
The deal is part of a larger, $26 billion settlement the companies negotiated with state and local governments.