From U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly:
United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly and representatives from five federal law enforcement agencies today announced the formation of the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force to investigate corrupt public officials, the misuse of public funds and related criminal activity.
The Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force includes representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation Division, and the Inspector General’s Offices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“For the first time in Connecticut, we have brought together in a single investigative unit, agents and inspectors from the federal agencies that have primary responsibility for investigating public corruption,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “Although each of these agencies has a history of working together, bringing some of the best agents in the state into one unit with a singular purpose of investigating all manner of corruption is an optimal way to address the complex and varied threats posed by corrupt activity.”
U.S. Attorney Daly explained that the Task Force is focused on rooting out not only corrupt elected officials, but also federal, state and municipal employees who use their position for personal gain at the expense of the public good. The Task Force also will investigate corruption that threatens public resources, the electoral process, and fair economic opportunities for citizens and businesses. In addition, the Task Force is charged with uncovering corruption within both public and private institutions that receive and misuse taxpayer dollars.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Mattei, who is Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Unit, is coordinating the Task Force. The FBI has committed resources to support all Task Force investigations and serves as the lead investigative agency.
“The New Haven Division of the FBI is joining forces with our federal agency partners to combat public corruption throughout the State of Connecticut,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia M. Ferrick. “With the assistance and cooperation of these partners, the Connecticut Public Corruption Task force is well positioned to successfully root out and put an end to public corruption within our area. Public servants are entrusted by all of us to act in the best interests of the public they serve. It is important for the United States to bring to justice those who betray that trust. Public corruption at all levels of local, state, and federal government must not be tolerated, and this task force will leverage the best assets of the task force partner agencies to address the threat posed by corrupt public officials.”
The Task Force has been at work for several months and has already made significant gains in several investigations, including the recent arrest of the former Finance Director of Plymouth who is alleged to have embezzled more than $800,000 from the town.
“The Postal Inspection Service has enjoyed a close relationship with the Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office through the years working intricate and complex fraud cases that involve the illicit use of the U.S Mails,” said Inspector in Charge Shelly A. Binkowski of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service welcomes the formation of the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force, a partnership that presents a tremendous opportunity for various agencies to pool resources and expertise to ensure public officials are held accountable.”
“Investigating public corruption remains one of IRS Criminal Investigation’s highest priorities,” said William Offord, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service. “Public trust is broken when elected or appointed officials commit crimes–most often triggered by greed and resulting in unlawful personal financial gain. IRS agents contribute their financial investigative expertise to this formidable investigative team.”
“As part of the Public Corruption Task Force, HHS OIG will ensure that the department’s dollars are not misused though public corruption and are instead used for their intended purpose of ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our society–including the elderly, poor and children–receive services funded at least in part by taxpayers,” said Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Regional Office of the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. “Working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to vigorously bring those who steal from these programs to justice.”
“The core mission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) includes creating strong, sustainable communities and quality affordable homes for all,” said Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of HUD’s Office of Inspector General. “To carry out its mission, HUD depends on the services of housing authority staff; owners and management agents of HUD-assisted multifamily developments; state, local, and municipal governments that receive HUD funding in the form of community development grants; and nonprofit organizations that administer a variety of programs including housing the homeless. HUD also oversees the administration of over $150 million awarded to the State of Connecticut for Hurricane Irene and Sandy disaster relief purposes. HUD OIG is dedicated to aggressively pursuing those who choose to engage in corrupt behavior, and we are proud to be a part of this all-important task force.”
U.S. Attorney Daly encouraged citizens to report corrupt activity by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
“Connecticut’s unfortunate recent history with corruption is well known, but so is this Office’s history of combating corrupt activity,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “Our efforts have been aided by a dogged media and courageous, conscientious citizens, business owners and public officials who have provided information about corrupt activity in their midst. We call on public servants, the vast majority of whom are honest brokers, to not look the other way when they see indications of corruption. We cannot overstate the importance of citizen participation in our fight against corruption, and we urge all citizens to assist us in this effort.”
About time.
Deirdre is going to love my file!
When the past Chairman of the DTC’s home on Brooklawn Ave taxes fell almost -18% in 2008, and his neighbors’ property taxes shot up, and the Chairman of the Board of Assessment Appeal gets a tax break on every one of his rental properties in Black Rock, anywhere from -11% to -14%, you have to question what’s going on in the Finch Administration.
Most people in Black Rock and Brooklawn had their property taxes go up every year under Finch, and most of them over +30% increase.
Okay, then! Bring it on!
OMG, here we go again!
Great news!!! Let’s start with Manny’s driveway and it will snowball from there I’m sure. Something tells me the paper shredders in the mayor’s office are working overtime, computer files are getting deleted, busy, busy, busy …
Hmmm–and there is that pesky file of papers about six inches thick submitted to the IRS showing years of city council members requests and disbursement of tax dollars from their “other” fund to their favorite charities …
Let me buy a bus from DeParlie used cars/trucks to take these scum politicos away, or perhaps a dump truck.
I won’t be collecting a “bail out” fund, or votes for the soon to be unemployed city “leaders” past, present and future.
I hope and pray this snow job we have been trying to dig out from for years is soon over.
Today was Wednesday. In Boston, Anthony knows that is Prince spaghetti day. In Bridgeport we know it is Finch Brown Bag luncheon. Except he was not there, again, and again, and again. I attended because the Town Clerk closes at noon for one hour, so 12:30 at the Finch meal seemed a worthwhile expenditure of time.
Complaints from a lady who has tried to reach the Mayor on elevator problems in the Augustana Homes. If repairs have been made, why is the inspection not complete? Is it because bills have not been paid? Who is responsible? Tenant said there is a senatorial candidate in the building but he has not been helpful, nor the Mayor. I asked and she answered, she hasn’t voted in years. Can anyone connect the dots for us? Who are her Council persons?
Other comments on park alternatives, and on snow comments in Barnum and Noble vicinity.
I asked when the CAFR will be complete. No one seemed to know what that document is but it gave me a chance to inform folks about the external audit, and Lamont Daniels, who was present, looked up the 2013 CAFR on his phone and read the opening sentence from Kelly Ann Lenz letter over one year ago for that. Saw the 2014 CAFR should have been PUBLISHED by 12-30-14 per State Law. (Tried the Print Shop, but they were out to lunch also.)
I also asked about the Capital Budget annual hearing mandated in the Charter that is not held as called for. What do you think? Is there a problem other than the document arriving late, here? Does this mean there may be a sheriff who cares about how badly the governance process has been degraded, ignored and abused? Time will tell.
Tom McCarthy: “But Mayor, how am I going to explain being on the airport commission and not knowing anything about the driveway the city paid for???”
Finch: “Just shut up, Tom! I’m shredding documents now!!!”
Feb 4, 2015 is Deirdre Daly Day on our family calendar.
She and this virtually resource-unlimited task force are great gifts.
Thank you, America!
Gosh, I thought I posted a comment last evening, but nowhere to be found. The Task Force should look into the attempts to privatize our public schools. Hope she adds this to a long list in our state and city.
This is indeed wonderful news! I hope she starts right here in good old Bridgeport. We are desperate for their help! Start with driveway gate, McCarthy, the whole “connected” city council, the summer help that is required to bill for plumbers’ rates and kick back to city bosses, the budget, the stipends, the raises, oh my the list goes on and on.
I agree, Pete! February 4th is now Deirdre Daly Day!
I hope the Task Force looks into what really happened to cause the members of the Parks Commission to change from a unanimous “No” vote on solar panels in Seaside Park to a unanimous “Yes” vote two weeks later.
Attorney Daly, please start in Bridgeport. I could almost guarantee you could retire in the time it will take you to clean out Bridgeport.
Investigations are important in digging up facts that can be substantiated. The facts (just the facts, ma’am) can be organized and re-organized in such ways connections can be made and guesses as to cause and result can be determined. The powers of officials to request documents and obtain questions from public officials who have told taxpayer-citizens like me “I choose not to answer questions,” but then she does not see herself as a ‘public servant’ but rather as a brave warrior for the Finch Corporation.
We have looked under lots of rocks, but there are many more NO ONE HAS LOOKED AT, neither watchdog, nor external auditor, nor employee of the City of Bridgeport to see if we are getting fair service and info from our public tax dollar. I predict this is about to change for the better. And if City practices change we may begin to hear more stories investigators can trace and connect. And folks begin to sweat and then talk. And the CT Post may hire another reporter or two for awhile. Keep your eyes and ears open. Time will tell.
Almost everyone who posts assumes this is about Bridgeport. Blumenthief, Slimes and Malloy could be and should be under the microscope for their stopping the remaining tribes from recognition! The money they have gathered over and under the table denying civil rights is outrageous. I hope and pray to see these three in prison for a very long time!