What Does Jessica Martinez’s Guilty Plea Mean For Dennis Bradley’s Election Fraud Case?

Just days before Jessica Martinez entered a guilty plea in federal court to providing false information to a grand jury in former State Senator Dennis Bradley’s election fraud case, Bradley kicked out a specious news release praising Judge Victor Bolden for “ruling to sever co-defendants and grant a continuance in his case.”

This is another twist in a case that has languished for years. The judge had agreed to split the defendants into two trials, but then just days later Martinez entered a guilty plea to a single count that included reduced charges from the original indictment. The judge ordered another continuance to provide the defense additional disclosure information to prepare for trial.

The judge instructed Bradley’s lawyer Darnell Crosland and prosecutors to hammer out a new trial date.

The news release was quite the cringe-worthy read lavishing praise on the judge while extolling the community virtues of Bradley who the government alleges co-mingled a law firm event with an announcement for state office, paid by personal funds, raising campaign cash and then prevailing upon campaign workers to falsify donation cards reflected on campaign finance reports when Bradley recognized he had a legal problem involving Connecticut’s Citizens Election Program that availed him $84,140 in public funds.

Martinez, ex school board chair, served as Bradley’s  campaign treasurer and helped raise money at Dolphin’s Cove in the East End for the event in question March 15, 2018. Both were charged with multiple counts of wire fraud.

The government alleges “On September 23, 2020, Martinez appeared as a witness under oath before a federal grand jury in New Haven.  When asked about the Dolphin’s Cove event, Martinez falsely stated, “Dolphin’s Cove had zero to do with me and the campaign.  Dolphin’s Cove was a BDK event, (Bradley’s) law firm’s event, thanking the community, in which I knew State Senator Bradley was going to announce his run for state senate.” Martinez further stated, “There was no fundraising there.”

Well, there was fundraising there with mountain ranges of evidence to prove it. See government’s accusations here

This case has dragged on for four years since the 2021 indictments of Bradley and Martinez, largely over an evidentiary battle that went the government’s way. The government disclosed a video from the Dolphin’s Cove event would be introduced at trial. Just prior to jury selection, prosecutors notified the defense and court of a second, lengthier version to be introduced.

The defense cried foul, presumably of damaging video evidence so close to the trial. The judge ruled the second version could not be applied. The government appealed and won.

What does Martinez’s plea mean in the larger picture? She could be detailing more damaging information for the government to leverage at trial or to perhaps induce a Bradley plea to cut his losses. If she’s cooperating the judge will certainly make note of that at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been scheduled and if it continues to drag on that’s an indicator she’s cooperating rather than pleading out and taking her medicine quickly. Federal prosecutors tend to hold back the sentencing of cooperators until full adjudication of the leading defendant.

Whether Martinez testifies is another matter. After her indictment she accused Bradley of coercing her actions. If the government thinks she’s useful and won’t blow up on the stand, they will call her. She would be subjected to a very intense cross examination by Bradley defense attorney Darnell Crosland. She’d be taking the stand under oath again. If you lied then why would you be telling the truth now?

In addition, Martinez’s heavy cocaine history would come into play. The court confined her to her home for a extended period because of cocaine addiction.

Will Bradley cut his losses? Not based on his latest news release. He’s an attorney by profession and a plea would likely lead to loss of license so he may be inclined to roll the dice. He had a rising profile in city politics with mayoral ambitions until derailed by this case. He lost his senate seat to Herron Gaston in a 2022 Democratic primary.

Bradley has gone through several defense lawyers in this case.

Speaking of Bradley’s news release, kicked out by attorney Crosland, for your reading pleasure:

Today, the legal team representing Dennis A. Bradley, Jr. applauds the federal court’s ruling to sever co-defendants and grant a continuance in his case. This well-reasoned, articulate, and compassionate decision affirms the importance of fairness and individualized justice within our system. We are especially grateful for the Court’s careful consideration of constitutional due process and its recognition of the complexities involved in this matter.

Judge Bolden’s ruling was not only rooted in sound legal principles, but also displayed a deep understanding of the practical and human dimensions of criminal procedure. His order reflects a balanced and empathetic application of justice—something too often missing in high-profile cases.

Dennis Bradley has dedicated his adult life to serving the people of Bridgeport and the greater Bridgeport community. As a former State Senator, educator, and attorney, Mr. Bradley has empowered countless individuals through mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering public service. He has been, and remains, a beacon of hope, progress, and opportunity for Bridgeport families.

This case, at its core, is not about fraud or corruption—it is about a law firm party that Dennis Bradley paid for with his own money and opportunistic political combatants who, through manipulative means, sought to take out their competition. The notion that this is a federal criminal matter—rather than, at most, a civil misunderstanding over a few hundred dollars—defies common sense and betrays the principle of proportional justice. The taxpayers have now borne the cost of a multi-year federal investigation and litigation that has expended hundreds of thousands of public dollars in pursuit of a case more political than legal.

We call upon the Department of Justice to do the right thing and end this prosecution and allow Mr. Bradley to continue his life of service unencumbered by politically motivated distractions. This case echoes past injustices in Connecticut’s political landscape—cases like that of Senator Ernie Newton—where prosecutorial zeal overshadowed true justice.

Dennis Bradley will continue to fight for his name, for his community, and for a legal system that holds itself to a standard of fairness and equity.