Joe Ganim’s comeback as mayor has raised a number of questions about the people he has assembled around him such as campaign operative Danny Pizarro, owner of dozens of city properties including Section 8 housing units for low-income residents, whom Ganim has hired as a $75,000-a-year aide working out of the mayor’s office. A review of tax records shows Pizarro owes more than $50,000. When Ganim learned about the back tax issue on Thursday he suspended Pizarro without pay pending further review, according to spokesman Av Harris. Pizarro has confirmed the suspension in a statement to OIB. He promised to clean up the tax issue no later than this Wednesday.
“He owes a significant amount of back taxes that he did not disclose to the mayor,” says Harris.
It goes to the core question, however, why wasn’t Pizarro vetted thoroughly before his hire?
The gregarious Pizarro was a constant presence on the campaign trail with Ganim, snapping photographs of campaign events, driving Ganim around the city and even donating $1,000 to Ganim’s campaign. Pizarro has a history that includes drug charges, operating a vehicle while endangering an occupant, breach of peace and resisting arrest, all of which occurred more than a decade ago that Ganim could overlook given his second chance message that returned him to office following his conviction on federal corruption charges in 2003.
But in a city struggling with what Ganim claims is upwards of an inherited $20 million budget gap, the mayor appointing a tax deadbeat is not the start Ganim wanted in his early months of JG2.
Ganim apparently advised Pizarro he had to clean up the tax issue right away. When that did not occur he suspended him without pay. Pizarro’s city job focuses on quality of life issues such as neighborhood cleanup and blight removal, but several City Hall sources view his hire simply as a soft-spot reward by Ganim for someone who dedicated countless volunteer hours to Ganim’s campaign.
Ironically, Pizarro himself in 2012 led a tax protest against then-Mayor Bill Finch holding a placard of Finch rear-ending a resident with taxes. On the campaign trail in 2015 Pizarro often talked about high taxes killing small businesses in Bridgeport.
Pizarro says he owns 33 properties in the city and pays more than $200,000 a year in taxes. In a statement to OIB Pizarro wrote:
“I currently owe $53,487. The back taxes are only for one year. During the 20 years I’ve never asked or received a tax break. Mayor Ganim was not aware of my back taxes. I want to apologize to the mayor and anyone I let down. I am currently doing an excellent job cleaning up neighborhoods.
“I currently own 33 properties. With my investments with the city the tax rolls grew. I will be paying the back taxes no later than Wednesday of this week. Mayor Ganim made it clear to his administration that if you work for the city you’ll be suspended without pay ’til I handle my tax issues. I would like to apologize to Mayor Ganim and his entire administration who have been working diligently to bring this wonderful city back on its feet.”
For the most part JG2 has a different inner circle makeup from when Ganim left office in April 2003. No key aides have returned from his first go-around. Ganim is still going through the process, more than three months into his mayoralty, sizing up the credentials of his staff. His staff, in turn, is also trying to learn the Ganim brain that trusts sparingly.
So to Ganim’s way of thinking Pizarro must move quickly to clean up his tax issue or risk losing a level of trust that gave him a city job when others around Ganim questioned the move.
I wonder how many more people on the mayor’s staff owe back taxes and how many City and Bridgeport State elected officials owe back taxes.
RON, WE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT THE TWO HISPANIC MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WHO LIVE IN WEST HAVEN. HOW IS THAT FOR A KICK IN THE ASS?
Well that gives a new meaning to living outside the district. They will say something like they’re remodeling or they are caring for their sick grandmother.
This man laughs at a $50,000 tax bill:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=B9xOiHDICiY
You’d think they would check everyone who is given a job by Ganim and his aides. Soft spot in his heart for this guy? Bullshit.
Andrew, would it be a good idea for Danny Pizzaro to transfer ownership of some of his properties to his father?
Why do we need a psychiatric makeup of Ganim? Just look at the people around him. There’s your answer. It’s not about Bridgeport. It’s all about Ganim.
He is hired to deal with quality-of-life issues and he is a major absentee landlord for government-subsidized rental units and has a felony rap sheet. Great people Ganim has surrounded himself with.
Where is the Office of Governmental Accountability?
Where is the Director, former FBI agent Ed Adams?
Where is a disclosure of financial interest in other businesses in Bridgeport or doing business with the city of Bridgeport?
When will the city ever learn anything?
We had a city employee negotiating a land deal with someone he has done personal business deals with.
We has a City Council Member running for State Senate who had hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes.
We had a city employee who had a private business interest in a business doing work for the city.
Another black eye for JG2 and his office of Public Integrity. Well at least we know why they changed that name. Ain’t no integrity in this administration.
Well, I just want to make a few comments and of course not join the chorus. First, Joe Ganim should be commended for addressing the issue and suspending Danny Pizzaro. I met Mr. Pizarro while working on Mayor Finch’s reelection campaign. Everywhere GANIM WAS, I WAS AND SO WAS DANNY PIZZARO. I like Danny Pizzaro and I am not judging his past. I can only judge people on how they treat me. If Danny Pizzaro says he will be up to date on his back taxes by Wednesday, I believe him. I do not judge Ganim on this minor embarrassment. If he is a “slum landlord,” well that could be a conflict of interest. I do not claim to know his business other than have respect for his ability to own 30 properties and pay taxes on them. Of all of Ganim supporters, he was by far my favorite to spar with. 🙂
“Of all Ganim’s supporters, he was by far my favorite to spar with.” 🙂
Bullshit Steven, you enjoy sparring with me more than anything else.
Joel 🙂
When I worked in the blight office, Pizarro had multiple property complaints. There was one in the process of being fined when I was laid off. I wonder how that citation went away.
As far as irresponsible landlords who are in arrears to the city, we should look first to HUD and the Bridgeport Housing Authority, the latter of which melted down under the last administration.
And then we should look at the disaster that has been created in Bridgeport by SHU housing and the absentee landlords who have capitalized on the figurative and literal pain of our citizens and neighborhoods in that regard.
Now how about Danny Pizarro? He has been providing safe housing for many, many Bridgeport residents without negative impact on our neighborhoods for many years. Maybe there has been a complaint or two, but that is inevitable for any landlord (especially in a tough market such as Bridgeport). So Danny owes Bridgeport some money, which he said he will pay. Doesn’t he deserve the opportunity to comply with that agreement before we put a noose around his neck? (And there aren’t any large, corporate taxpayers shorting Bridgeport for a lot more money than Danny?! I can think of at least two or three. And these situations are long-standing. And how are we doing on that PD OT owed to us from the Vibes?)
As far as Danny Pizarro, the person, the man who went far and wide in Bridgeport with Joe Ganim in order to get him elected; if Danny had baggage with the community, his presence certainly wouldn’t have helped Joe. That says something for his credibility and continued usefulness for the administration (with respect to community relations).
It would seem to me Bridgeporters should be a lot more worried about our withering grand list and bleak development options, rather than hovering like vultures over the stumbles and bumps of the players in the new administration.
Danny is a nice guy who deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt. As a long-time, significant-scale Bridgeport landlord-businessman, he’s been adding value to the city for quite some time.
We should be a lot more worried about the upcoming presidential election and what it means for Bridgeport than about a relatively minor political faux pas.
Jeff, according to you this guy owes the city “some money.” Well Jeff, your attempt to make this look insignificant failed, this guy owes $50,000 in back taxes and has several housing violations. Do you think he should have been vetted before being given a $75k job? DUH.
Jeff if you are going to write on the blog at least tell the truth even if it shows Ganim in a bad light.
I forgot but the people affected by the SHU students are getting what they deserve pure and simple. They stay relatively silent, their council people don’t do squat except some cosmetic bullshitting. In fact the council people Lyons and Vizzo both voted in favor of that large building that was put up on Park Ave tax free from SHU so you know what, the people are getting what they deserve.
See, this is EXACTLY what I mean, let’s forget about those exceptional no-tax-paying individuals and focus on something else, let’s brush it under the carpet. I wonder what would happen to the property of a regular civilian who hasn’t been able to catch up on their property taxes and see how fast their property would be taken away, but those involved with Ganim are being given a chance to catch up AND COMPENSATED WITH A $75.000 DOLLAR JOB OF BRIDGEPORT’S TAXPAYING COMMUNITIES, THAT GANIM DOES NOT HELP!!! SURE, LET’S FOCUS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND FORGET ABOUT THE WRONGDOING, BECAUSE HE’S A NICE GUY.
As far as irresponsible landlords who are in arrears to the city, we should look first to HUD and the Bridgeport Housing Authority, the latter of which melted down under the last administration.
And then we should look at the disaster that has been created in Bridgeport by SHU housing and the absentee landlords that have capitalized on the figurative and literal pain of our citizens and neighborhoods in that regard.
Now how about Sal DiNardo? He has been providing safe housing for many, many Bridgeport residents without negative impact on our neighborhoods for many years. Maybe there has been a complaint or two, but that is inevitable for any landlord (especially in a tough market such as Bridgeport). So Sally owes Bridgeport some money, which he said he will pay. Doesn’t he deserve the opportunity to comply with that agreement before we put a noose around his neck? (And there aren’t any large, corporate taxpayers shorting Bridgeport for a lot more money than Sally?! I can think of at least two or three. And these situations are long-standing. And how are we doing on that PD OT owed to us from the Vibes?)
As far as Sal DiNardo, the person, the man who went far and wide in Bridgeport with Joe Ganim in order to get him elected; if Sally had baggage with the community, his presence certainly wouldn’t have helped Joe. That says something for his credibility and continued usefulness for the administration (with respect to community relations).
It would seem to me Bridgeporters should be a lot more worried about our withering grand list and bleak development options, rather than hovering like vultures over the stumbles and bumps of the players in the new administration.
Sally is a nice guy who deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt. As a long-time, significant-scale Bridgeport landlord-businessman, he’s been adding value to the city for quite some time.
We should be a lot more worried about the upcoming presidential election and what it means for Bridgeport than about a relatively minor political faux pas.
Jim, stop being a two-faced asshole. I don’t give a damn how nice this guy is, $50,000 is $50,000. Of course you don’t worry because you don’t pay taxes. Why do you get mad at DiNardo for owing taxes but Pizzaro owes and it’s okay? You owe you pay, people lost their cars for owing back taxes on a piece of shit car, people lost houses for owing a lot less taxes than Pizzaro.
Jeff, you know what would have been great is if this $75,000 job was given to a Bridgeport resident and not an absentee landlord living in Trumbull.
Here we are again, CORRUPTION AT ITS FINEST AND LO AND BEHOLD WHO’S MASTERMINDING IT ALL, JOE GANIM. SECOND CHANCE, MY @$$, ONCE A CORRUPT POLITICIAN ALWAYS A CORRUPT POLITICIAN, THIS TIME AROUND HE’LL DO IT BETTER. Again it shows Ganim’s intentions.There’s an old saying that goes tell me who you surround yourself with and I’ll tell you who you are. This Mayor of Convenience has done nothing but shown his true colors over and over, he’s nothing good nor does he have Bridgeport’s best interest in mind, he’s as dirty as they come and that second-chance bull is just a Campaign slogan he used for reelection, he’s especially a liar and it’s obvious his standards and actions show who he is, he lied and bullshitted his way through Success Village just to get votes giving people high expectations and false hopes, that alone speaks for itself. I will dedicate myself to exposing this LIAR and deceiver and reveal his true stripes. I said it from the beginning, this is a Mayor of Convenience and self-glorification.
And for the record, I HELPED MY COMMUNITY IN SUCCESS VILLAGE FROM CORRUPTION IN A BOARD AND PROPERTY MANAGER WHO WAS STEALING OUR COMMON CHARGES AND PUTTING THIS COMMUNITY OF 926 UNITS IN A FINANCIAL DEBT. I HELPED THOSE WHO WERE LIVING UNDER TOXINS OF MOLD AND LEAD WHO HAD HEALTH RISK FACTORS TO THE EXTREME WHILE ASKING THE MAYOR TO HELP ME HELP THEM AND HE NEVER DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT LIE IN FRONT OF CHANNEL 12 NEWS HOW HE WAS GOING TO WORK SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. THIS IS THE HIGHEST TAXPAYING COMMUNITY IN BRIDGEPORT AND THIS IS HIS CONCERN TOWARDS US. I ALSO HELPED MEMBERS OF OTHER COMMUNITIES WITH ASBESTOS IN THEIR HOMES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH RESTORING PEOPLE’S CREDIT SO THEY DON’T LOSE THEIR HOMES AND CAN HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE AND SO ON. SEE MAYOR, AND I DID IT ALL WITHOUT A CITY JOB, NOR AM I MAKING $75,000 OF BRIDGEPORT’S MONEY, YOU SURROUND YOURSELF CONVENIENTLY WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL COVER YOUR MISTAKES AND TAKE BLAME FOR YOU, THAT’S WHY THEY ARE GIVEN THESE CITY POSITIONS. SHAME ON YOU JOE GANIM. SHAME ON YOU FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE. YOU DON’T HAVE BRIDGEPORT’S BEST INTEREST IN MIND, BUT I’M SURE YOU HAVE YOU AND YOURS TO CARE FOR.
Give the Mayor credit. He suspended the guy immediately.
He should not have hired him in the first place.
What’s even funnier is for the last two months I have been calling the mayor’s office for him to sit down with me on how can we help my community and surrounding communities so he can redeem himself, not once have I had a call from this mayor not once have you stepped up to the plate to do different I guess you can’t take the criticism and exposure I have been putting out through Facebook and here on Only in Bridgeport. Let’s see, Mr. Mayor, I don’t sugarcoat or candy coat nor do I use a glaze on my words, I say it like it is, grimy and slimy with a splash of salt but I’m a straightforward person and I say it like it is. There’s an old saying in my neck of the woods if you can’t take the heat get out the kitchen and Mr. Mayor you’ve been cooking up some mighty nasty recipes so I’m here to say shape up or ship out because I personally can speak for a domineering amount of people in my community in saying don’t talk about it be about it, because talk is cheap and action speaks louder than words. As of right now you’re not a man of your word and it’s a shame you are considered our mayor.
Angel Figueroa, I suggest you don’t make this personal, this is about business. Make your points, give the facts and your opinion but don’t make it personal because people will listen to you.
Angel still has not given any proof on his corruption claims. It’s funny the property manager has stolen all of this money in common charges but they can’t seem to provide any type of proof to this claim. He spews the same rhetoric. A broken record. He gets angry and makes things personal when he doesn’t get his way.
Jeff Kohut,
Put down the Kool Aid. I repeat, put down the Kool Aid.
In defending this tax deadbeat you are comparing his actions to SHU residences.
I tend to disagree, Mr. Mackey. It is personal when it affects the people of the City of Bridgeport, when it affects me and my family you’re damned right it’s personal and any political official who can stand and put corruption in their obligation and responsibilities to this great Cityand deny the people who put them in the position they are in, you’re damned right it’s personal!!!
Angel Figueroa, okay, I was just making a suggestion, now if your agenda is to make it personal then you will have a hard time taking care of business. I’m not aware of one person in Bridgeport with a personal agenda making any serious changes but hey, maybe you’ll be the first but I doubt that. Time will tell (JML).
I wonder if there is nothing personal about the firings, the Gaudett fiasco, the detective driver (again $$$). Nothing personal.
Frank, that was business, both parties agree. For those who don’t like it then they need to make it their business to change the result and do something.
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.
The clock is ticking.
Mr. Fardy, I couldn’t agree more, you hit the nail on the head. Why not give a college graduate who has garnished a degree through vigorous dedication on his education and compensate him with the position of a $75.000 job, showing education pays and rebuilding a new forum in the next generation of politicians and kids who can stand up and be successful in the best interest for this city, so I applaud you Mr. Fardy on your comment. And Mr. Fox, DiNardo is not okay to owe but Sally is???
Angel, Sally is a nickname for Salvatore, like the old Sally’s Apizza in New Haven. Sal and Sally are one in the same.
Andy, it’s nice not paying taxes and supporting your inflated Mega pension!
Jim. I have no idea whom you are referring to. If it’s me, check, the taxes are paid. Seeing as you don’t own shit, don’t worry about my pension.
You want me to come over to your house and short out your pacemaker? You bald-headed midget, I have a banana for you!
Bald-headed midget, that’s a good one coming from someone the same height as me. Come over to my house, I have a large Rottweiler waiting for you. HA HA.
I’ll kick the shit out of Pat, Sean and then I’ll beat you over the Ffucking head with your Rottweiler! Not Pat.
Jim, my balls are tougher than you, come on over. I let Shawn handle my light work. HA! HA!
In fact Pat is pretty tough, I will let her kick your ass.
Pat? No thanks, I’ll stand a better chance fighting Shawn and the Rottweiler together!
I don’t know what the status of Danny’s properties are but I do know there is an old notion that landlords should be blamed for all our problems. As for the City Blight department issuing fines, mostly all they have done in the past is react to anonymous phone calls and are largely damaging to the City and ineffective, or have been. Dan was part of a Ganim team that worked extremely well together that I found to be good people. This thing is rather blown out of proportion.
HALSTEAD, IF YOU THINK $50,000 IS INSIGNIFICANT WHY DON’T YOU PAY IT FOR THIS POOR NICE GUY? WHAT BULLSHIT IF YOU’RE A NICE GUY PEOPLE WILL FORGIVE ANYTHING, HALSTEAD, GO GROW A BANANA.
What am I missing, Andrew? It is reported he was suspended without pay and he is paying the $50k back to the city. Where do you get I think the $50k is insignificant?
Bob, here is a copy of your post:
I don’t know what the status of Danny’s properties are but I do know there is an old notion landlords should be blamed for all our problems. As for the City Blight department issuing fines, mostly all they have done in the past is react to anonymous phone calls and are largely damaging to the City and ineffective, or have been. Dan was part of a Ganim team that worked extremely well together that I found to be good people. This thing is rather blown out of proportion.
I believe it is an issue but it was handled and I do not think it deserves headlines.
I see Angel Figueroa ran for the head of the Democratic Town Committee against Mario Testa and lost 83 to 7. It doesn’t look like there was any dialog with other DTC members to gain support to defeat Mr. Testa. Great way to make friends and influence people by making things personal. Time will tell (JML).
Am I the only person wondering why it took getting suspended and publicly put on notice to prompt this person to agree to pay his back taxes? Apparently he has funds available to him, as he claims the debt will be paid this week. Something just does not add up. SMH.
Jennifer, good point and I’m sure there are more people in local, city and state offices representing Bridgeport or working for the City who owe back taxes. Pizarro was outed by somebody but there are no checks and balances on those serving and working for the City.
How many Ganim appointees owe taxes and how many live out of town? BTW at least two and maybe more of our council people live out of town in a place called West Haven.