Gov. Ned Lamont praised his departing budget director Melissa McCaw then pivoted to efforts to rebuild confidence in his administration.
Kosta Diamantis Saga
CT Mirror’s continuing coverage of former deputy budget director Kosta Diamantis and the state and federal investigations that have followed since Gov. Ned Lamont removed him from his position in October 2021.
Posted inPolitics
OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw to leave; Lamont ‘turning the page’
Gov. Ned Lamont is expected Friday to announce the departure of Melissa McCaw as the secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.
Posted inPolitics
House GOP calls for legislative investigation into school bidding
Such a bipartisan inquiry would explore whether the office overseen by Kosta Diamantis interfered with school construction projects.
Posted inInvestigations
The Kosta Diamantis timeline: Here’s what you need to know
Konstantinos Diamantis was a powerful state official until late October, 2021. Here’s a timeline of events in his story.
Posted inInvestigations
State releases new guidelines for hazardous waste removal contracts
The updated contract replaced one overseen by Kosta Diamantis and now limits when towns can use certain contractors for emergency work.
Posted inPolitics
Second-guessing begins on Lamont’s approach to Diamantis scandal
The inevitable questioning has begun: Is Gov. Ned Lamont up to the tricky task of managing a scandal in an election year?
Posted inInvestigations
Melissa McCaw: ‘Broader steering’ concerns ‘never came to my knowledge’
OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw distanced herself from the former deputy at the center of an FBI investigation.
Posted inInvestigations
Companies named in subpoena were primary recipients of hazmat work
AAIS and Bestech got all but 15 of the 284 purchase orders issued by the state for hazardous waste disposal and demolition from 2017-2022.
Posted inInvestigations
Bristol, Groton officials: State pressured them on school building contracts
Officials in both municipalities said they received orders to reject the winning bids for demolition and cleanup for three different schools.
Posted inInvestigations
Top Lamont officials were told of school bidding complaints in 2020
An attorney for a Stamford construction company warned that CT school construction contracts were being improperly awarded.
Posted inInvestigations
Former CT budget director Diamantis’ daughter placed on paid leave
Anastasia Diamantis, daughter of Kosta Diamantis, has been placed on administrative leave from her job at the Division of Criminal Justice.
Posted inInvestigations
‘Out of the blue’ — Diamantis’ daughter landed job as firm was awarded no-bid contracts
A firm at the center of a grand jury probe got two no-bid contracts during the period of time when it hired the daughter of Kosta Diamantis.
Posted inPolitics
With praise and pointed silence, McCaw confirms tension in Lamont administration
The OPM Secretary affirmed a “close working relationship” with Gov. Ned Lamont while implicitly confirming a distant relationship with others.
Posted inJustice
Chief State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo to retire in wake of investigation
The Criminal Justice Commission was prepared to vote Wednesday to open a case against Colangelo in which formal charges could be presented.
Posted inInvestigations
In sealed grievance, Kosta Diamantis accuses top CT officials of mistreating OPM secretary
Diamantis’ grievance targets Joshua Geballe and Paul Mounds, claiming ‘openly hostile, condescending and abusive treatment’ of Melissa McCaw.