UPDATE, includes Newton campaign finance reports. Thursday morning after hearing rumors of an arrest, OIB talked to former State Senator Ernie Newton. He said he was not aware of a state investigation into alleged campaign finance fraud in connection with trying to regain his old seat last summer. Newton was arrested Friday afternoon by state investigators. OIB chatted with Newton briefly Friday afternoon. He said on advice from his attorney Darnell Crosland he could not comment. Newton is still on federal supervised release and these state charges could lead to violation of his probation, and possibly back to federal prison, stemming from corruption charges that forced him from office.
Terms of supervised release state a “defendant shall not commit another federal, state or local offense.” Newton’s supervised release is not scheduled to end until this summer. Federal probation officials who work for federal judges will keep a watch on this case to see how it develops.
Newton lost a close Democratic primary last August in an effort to regain his old seat running on a message of “redemption and opportunity.”
According to the warrant, Newton was $500 short of the $15,000 he needed to raise in private contributions to qualify for the Citizens Election Program grant. Newton had five campaign workers sign cards stating they had contributed to the campaign when in fact they had not, the warrant states.
Newton’s lawyer told the Connecticut Post:
… the claims that Newton stole money “can’t be farther from the truth. He didn’t steal any money, he applied for money, they approved it and he ran a legitimate campaign.”
Crosland said typically if indiscretions are found during a campaign audit, the state elections board will levy fines or civil remedies.
“We don’t understand why Mr. Newton is being dragged before the criminal courts under these circumstances,” Crosland said, adding that Newton’s past experience made him “vigilant” about making sure everything was done above the board.
Crosland said Newton didn’t write a single check to himself or his family members, claiming “every dime” went to the campaign.
… Newton is also accused of telling one of the campaign workers not to talk to the (State Elections Enforcement Commission) after investigators contacted her, resulting in the witness tampering charge.
According to Crosland, Newton’s attorney, the five employees were “disgruntled” about payments they were supposed to receive, but he said he wasn’t sure if that motivated them to make the allegations against Newton.
News release from the State Division of Criminal Justice:
Former Bridgeport State Senator Ernest E. Newton II was arrested today and charged with falsely obtaining thousands of dollars in public funds to finance his unsuccessful state Senate campaign last year.
Newton, age 56, of 190 Read St., Bridgeport, was arrested on a warrant charging him with one count of Larceny in the First Degree, five counts of Illegal campaign practices and one count of Tampering with a Witness.
The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission in the Office of Governmental Accountability and the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Newton submitted false documentation to obtain $80,550 from the state’s Citizens Election Program to support his ultimately unsuccessful 2012 campaign for the state Senate in the 23rd District in Bridgeport.
According to the warrant, Newton was $500 short of the $15,000 he needed to raise in private contributions to qualify for the Citizens Election Program grant. Newton had five campaign workers sign cards stating they had contributed to the campaign when in fact they had not, the warrant states.
Upon receipt of the falsified information the SEEC released $80,550 in grant money to the Newton campaign on July 23, 2012, the warrant states. When one of the five individuals who signed contribution cards was contacted by SEEC investigators, Newton told her not to talk to them.
The charges are merely accusations and Newton is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Newton was arrested by Inspectors from the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney at the Connecticut State Police Troop I barracks in Bethany. He was released on a written promise to appear and will be arraigned in Hartford Superior Court, G.A. No. 14, on January 17, 2013.
Larceny in the First Degree carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison; Tampering with a Witness is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and each of the campaign finance counts carries a maximum term of 5 years.
Newton finance reports here and here.
More reports can be found at seec.ct.gov/ecrisreporting/SearchingDoc.aspx.
This is disappointing. Surprising but disappointing. Moses should’ve known the SEEC would be looking into his campaign’s business practices.
Arrogance, pure and simple arrogance. Ernie should be arrested for stupidity. You just get out of prison, you jump into the public arena and you think no one is watching. Jesus Ernie, what were you thinking? Evidently you thought you were above the law. What a shame.
It’s a lottery. This campaign got pulled. Another reason to have your shit wired tight. I guess Moses got saved from himself. God helps those who “help themselves,” right?
The Moses in the Old Testament never charged “his people” for parting the Red Sea …
Having worked raising funds for campaigns–every campaign financial report submitted is audited and fact checked for accuracy–it is not random, no one is targeted–this man falsified records to secure public funds. Our public funds–again he has committed fraud with the endorsement of the DTC …
I actually worked on a State Senate race in this election cycle, and there was a lottery. And I am remiss to assume his campaign got pulled, I don’t know that. I do know the SEEC took all of the Rep campaigns and all of the Senate campaigns, put them into separate barrels and pulled 50% of each for auditing. There is no targeting attached to that effort.
Only $500 short? C’mon, he can get over this one … I remember many times seeing him pull up to the little grocery store on the corner of Davenport and Stratford Ave, parking his Jaguar with the legislative plates and striding in with his broad-brimmed hat (it’s been awhile; was there a long feather stuck in the hatband?) and sometimes the fur coat, looking very flamboyant. Those were the days …
wwwfuzzyfashionable.blogspot.com/2010/08/free-ernie-newton-ii.html
courantblogs.com/capitol-watch/ex-senator-ernie-newton-arrested-again-for-campaign-finance-fraud-in-2012/
I think this is just very sad. I’ve never been a big Newton supporter, but it saddens me to see him throw his life away over a lousy $500.
Arrogance, blind ambition, a constitutional inability to be be honest–I’ll leave it to others to decide.
I’m also saddened and angered my city’s reputation has just gotten another black eye.
Is anyone really surprised by this? It’s not just about the $500, he fraudulently obtained the financing regardless of how he went about it. Lest anyone forget, witness tampering is an extremely serious charge. Violation of the public trust is the crux of his crime, but he obviously didn’t learn the first time. There’s something to be said for not being able to teach an old dog a new trick.
You simply cannot redeem stupid.
All of this for a measly $500. And he nearly had me fooled with his endorsement of Mary-Jane Foster.
Tee hee hee hee hee hee.
Maybe every one of the 1700 freaking idiots who voted for him can come up with a few more bucks and bail his sorry ass out of jail.
I wonder if he will hire Ganim to ‘advise’ him about how to handle his impending incarceration. Oh. I forgot. The schmuck has already been incarcerated.
Well I will wait for the verdict. I am not naive. If Ernie is guilty then not only shame on him but shame on those of us who believed he paid his debt to society and forgave him. Well Good Luck Ernie. I hope it is an error.
And yet the good folks of Bridgeport continue to vote and support corrupt Democrats for public office. Not for nothing, but wouldn’t it be interesting to see exactly how Ernie spent “our” $80,000 on his campaign?
Obey the law, or change the law. But do not ignore the law, the statutes, the rules, the regulations, the ordinances or the Charter! Those are the choices for those who operate in a public forum.
And former State Senator Ernie Newton enters another chapter of his life with serious campaign finance charges while still on probation from serving time for a previous abuse of public trust.
It appears raising the funds necessary to qualify for State funds was not the problem, but rather the number of actual fund donors. Finding an actual shortage of ‘peeps’ who could donate and attest to it truthfully, ‘peeps’ were asked to attest to a donation that was not sincere it appears. Later Newton allegedly asked at least one of those signers not to provide info to investigators. Truly a sad story, and a seeming unwillingness to attend to all the details so your activities may be legal to the letter of the law, and therefore seemingly above prosecution.
So what of our own Finch administration that seems to have padded its budgets in recent years with “ghost positions” at a price tag of $4-5 Million annually. What accounts for the City Council reviewing and inspecting the 2012-13 budget and approving it in May followed by a massive $3.6 Million reduction in Full Time Earned Pay Line 51000 in September, three months later? Was there a layoff? A change in the table of organization in the City eliminating positions? The Mayor has said nothing. The Budget and Appropriations Committee has not met for over a month since they received the (very late) September report. No word from the Council. Does anybody care?
When Mayor Finch’s administration misses the clear language of the Charter set target for 12 monthly financial reports delivery more than 50% of the time, is that “Charter breaking?” Isn’t the Charter the law of the City? Who enforces this continued string of offenses against the taxpayers of Bridgeport? Does anyone else feel offended by City Council general ignorance and carelessness about what is happening with City financial practice? City Council President Tom McCarthy is a lawyer. Doesn’t he know what the Charter requires? As a leader of the Council, the people’s representatives, why doesn’t he speak up? Why isn’t Mayor Finch more willing to talk about taking care of all of the GREEN in the greater than half-billion dollar operating budget? Time will tell.
Gabriel, it is possible to see the contributions and expenses of any state elected official who registered a campaign committee or PAC here:
seec.ct.gov/ecrisreporting/SearchingDoc.aspx
There’s something more to this story. Newton was charged with a criminal offense over a measly five hundred bucks? That’s not a lot of jing.
It’s not the $500–it is falsifying records to receive public funds–and telling the witness not to co-operate.
Jennifer Buchanan, Christina Ayala’s campaign committee listed her home address as Noble Avenue when she registered her committee and she got a $25,000 grant from the CEP. Is that not falsifying records to receive public funds as well as perjury?
Kid, I’m wondering how is it possible for SEEC investigators to question alleged donors or recipients of payments from the Andres Ayala 2012 Committee when there aren’t any addresses or names of donors and the recipients of payments (except for stores) don’t have street address numbers.
One of the last five donors Ernie asked to falsely claim they gave him a donation got cold feet and turned him in. It also could be someone other than the five who was aware of what was happening and turned him in. In either case someone turned him in and had enough information to get the investigation started.
Joel, I think you have more experience in this subject than many of us. If a report is filed and fails to have full, legible names, complete addresses, dollar amounts and other specific information, why is it accepted? You raise the Ayala form of which I have no knowledge, but what is the pattern of the SEEC in this regard?
In City politics where the Mayoral or DTC choice has been made and yet others are offering names for consideration, the rules for ‘eligibility’ are carefully observed by City Attorney office personnel. Why are there different standards in operation? Because they can? Time will tell.
Let me put it this way, John Marshall Lee. In 2008 a certain candidate committee claims on campaign record they had a fundraiser in Bridgeport where thousands of dollars was raised.
The location of this fundraiser event was listed as 45 Lyon Terrace; on a Saturday. This fundraiser never really took place at 45 Lyon Terrace. Lyon Terrace was actually the pick-up spot for a fundraising bus trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino. Once everyone arrived at the Casino, they were given $10 in casino tokens and a $10 food voucher. Today, the candidate/elected official serves on a committee that regulates the Casinos.
Bus tickets cost $30 on average and it is illegal for anyone to give a refund to a donor or for the committee to fail report such activity or any in-kind contributions. There is no way in hell the SEEC is checking or auditing 50 percent of anything.
*** Don’t you have to show some type of official proof on actually having the $15,000 in qualifying money (bank account statement, etc.) before being able to qualify for the state campaign funds? It would not make sense just showing IOU’s as campaign donations without actually having the money or just filling out a form and marking “yes” I got the money; HELLO! The State qualifying forms and criteria seem somewhat lax and open for abuse if this is the case, right or wrong, no? *** MORE INFO NEEDED BEFORE PASSING JUDGEMENT PLEASE! ***
More info??? He’s ugly, too.
*** You’re just anti-Newton and at times come off as anti-minority period! If Newton were so intent in campaigning for his old Senate seat and was stupid enough to put himself back in a negative situation that could violate his probation and if proven guilty, then he will deserve his fate. But if this turns out to be a political witch hunt, then State Heads should roll! As JML would say,”TIME WILL TELL.” ***
I am certainly anti-Newton and absolutely anti anyone who supports that idiot. I think Ganim is a shithead too and would be quite vocal if he sticks his beak back in the fray. I also think Testa and Timpanelli are very bad for this city. Go figure, if you can.
BTW. If this is a witch hunt and Newton were set up, you won’t be able to shut me up until all of the conspiratorial sycophants are identified and prosecuted. I’m not holding my breath though.
And yet the good folks of Bridgeport continue to vote and support corrupt Democrats for public office. Not for nothing, but wouldn’t it be interesting to see exactly how Ernie spent “our” $80,000 on his campaign?
“… the good folks of Bridgeport continue to vote and support corrupt Democrats for public office.”
Is it my imagination, or does the last 50 or so years of Bridgeport history document the idea Bridgeport is a magnet for corrupt/dishonest/sleazy/self-interested politicians because the pickings are so easy? Long live the machine!
I don’t think we have heard the last of the allegations pertaining to Newton’s illegal campaign practices.
Gomes could have been reelected. Instead, we got an Ayala. Nice going, Ernie.
People are talking about a political witch hunt. Really? Look, Ernie was really a non player in Hartford, in fact he was basically ignored. Why would there be a political witch hunt on a non player?
If by some chance he were elected the witch hunt would then take place. Newton would be put on every mundane committee there is and in effect be neutralized. Everyone is giving Ernie credit as a major player. NOT.
Bridgeport is a magnet for corrupt/dishonest/sleazy/self-interested politicians because the pickings are so easy … from Indices …
I attended two parties last night, one in Bridgeport and the other in Fairfield. Conversations came around to “what are you writing about these days and where.” So for the media savvy and politically active people at each location, I shared an update on the “structural issues” in Bridgeport that allow for low ethical standards, or as others see it, the “corruption” in Bridgeport.
Apologies to Chris Caruso who does not like the ‘C’ word, but since he is no longer publicly active and others in the region are using that word with regularity (with Ayala and Newton stories prominently in the media), perhaps we need to look at what is called “corrupt” so easily and readily and why.
Last year legal counsel from out of town was hired by the City and paid for by the taxpayer. On more than one occasion, the operation of the Bridgeport City Council (with six actively paid by the City as employees and two or three others with spouse or sibling City employment or business revenues from City services) was mentioned. This situation creates a bigtime perception of conflicts of interest, just for starters.
Now folks have read how State law takes precedence over the local Charter that says this is not right, but these same folks have thought our City Council recuses itself on all financial matters routinely. That’s what the firemen in Fairfield serving on the RTM do, for instance. People were shocked when they heard recusals are not generally observed by our City Council, except when it came to Federal HUD-CDBG funds this past year. (Of course there is likely a legal interpretation for this City practice, and just who would be providing this contraindicated opinion? Someone also on the City payroll?) Interesting isn’t it to see what people in the City and the region really think? And so it continues …
And any administration has enough tools at its command to financially discomfort or damage almost any employee in multiple ways regarding employee livelihood. That is incredible leverage to maintain power without suffering any pushback, isn’t it? And that is what goes on daily, weekly and monthly in Bridgeport. If it is not ‘corruption,’ what would you rather call it?
What would happen if the State legislature expanded its EXCEPTIONS to City employed residents running for and serving on boards, commissions and councils in their home communities? What if in addition to prohibiting those City employees from service on finance or land use boards, they extended their intent to indicate where there is no independently functioning finance board, as in Bridgeport, elected employees may serve on the legislative body, but cannot vote on any measure having anything at all to do with budgets, finances, etc. Recusal would be mandatory. That would force the DTC and any administration to wonder whether quorums on such MONEY VOTES could be controlled. It would provide some real pushback for the rare but worthy elected Council person who questions the administration and votes according to conscience and what is best for the public at large. It might even be a first step to encourage some concerned citizens to embark on a quest for a City Council position.
There are obviously other routes to structural change. But raising our community above the low ethical position we live in today is a priority. Time will tell.