When you’re a candidate embroiled in public chaos, as is the case with State Senate hopeful Richard DeJesus, it can be good to recruit a perceived victim to step up on your behalf to explain things away. OIB has received such an email claiming to be the ex-wife of City Councilman DeJesus who had promised a written statement in response to a strong paper trail of court records showing he was forced to resolve back child support in 2014. In lieu of that comes this crafted statement from Rosa Roque who petitioned the court to order $35,700 in back child support. The statement follows:
My name is Rosa I. Roque. I am the ex-wife of Bridgeport Councilman Ricky Dejesus. It’s to my understanding that Ricky, the father of my children, has come under political attacks for family issues that stem from our divorce.
I’d like to set the record straight. Ricky is a loving father who has lived up to his obligations in that role. The document you’re reading uses a dollar figure that is no longer relevant, and it’s up to question whether it ever was relevant.
But rest assured, Ricky is a good man.
Sure, we had our differences, and like many couples, we decided to end our marriage.
That said, Ricky has been nothing but great to me and our kids, and has lived up to–and continues to live up to–his obligations.
I’m not a Bridgeport voter or a politician, and neither are my children, but if we were, he would have our vote and support.
He understands better than anyone the issues people face–whether it’s figuring out tough family situations, running a business, or figuring ways to help the community.
So, I ask you to support Ricky who will represent you well.
Sincerely,
Rosa I. Roque
Ricky, nothing special here because you’re SUPPOSED to love your kids. What do you want, a cookie?
He sure is a Tricky Ricky!
…
Having been in her position in the past myself, IF this is a verified email from her, she is either sincere or is in fear the situation will become worse for her and her children if she does not support him. My hope is for the sake of her children she is sincere. Such a shame to have such public focus on a very private matter.
I think it is great she can forgive her ex-husband for not financially supporting his children for a lengthy period of time. Having both parents getting along is what is in the best interest of their children, however it doesn’t negate the fact as a legislator he will be responsible for participating in the crafting of billion-dollar budgets and balancing the state’s checkbook. Based on his significant arrearage on his property taxes and his child support it is pretty clear he is not the individual who should be sent to Hartford to represent half the city and my immediate neighborhood. Ed Gomes is who I have committed to support.
Jennifer,
If it is “such a shame to have such public focus on a very private matter,” it is because Mr. DeJesus chose to become a very public figure. Not once when he ran for the City Council but a second time now that he is running for State Senator.
The shame is Mr. DeJesus did not think it important to clean up his own house with this issue and with back taxes and Lord knows what other issues are out there before volunteering for a public role.
Yes Bob, awkwardly worded by me, same thoughts as yours!
I guarantee you DeJesus’ ex did not write this–and more than likely didn’t even read it. This was almost certainly written by one of Mario’s peeps trying desperately to do damage control.
Dear Walter Witty,
Mario was the first one to do a washing of his hands on this candidate. He had no control over this nominating committee. It is a two-town race and the delegates are the same from the May 2014 nominating convention. I do like your witty user name.
So do those of you in the know think the power is shifting to the John Stafstrom/Mayor Finch camp at the DTC?
Dear Rita,
Great letter if Rick DeJesus were running for local PTA office. But it says nothing about the residential issues raised in his run for City Council, the City taxes from ten or more years ago on properties once owned and still outstanding, the perception of business problems, or the use of his personal attorney in a situation that called for UNconflicted interest at the political caucus for State Senate.
Maybe being married to you and having the kids around was good for him. Maybe he needs to be grounded in family once again, but nothing like that has surfaced. What has surfaced is a court action for child support that was coming to you for your minor children, one assumes. One does not resort to the courts, and courts do not resort to arrests if everything is OK in my experience.
In Bridgeport we are attuned to spin unfortunately. We expect it and get it served up by the City. If family financials are in order at this time, that means one less thing on Rick’s list, but weathering each of these issues takes its toll and attention away from representing the people.
Perhaps it will be better for voters to give him a “time out.” A time to reflect on what he needs to know to be a force for good government. A time to work for the people. A time for rebuilding personal financial strength such that compromise will not be forced on you in the future. Time for the “man in the mirror.” Time will tell.
Could the letter have been written by Ed Farrow?
Ahah. All that was missing from that letter was if it were signed “Sincerly, Richard Dejesus” lol.
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when “Rickey” called that poor woman and told her to write this, or at least told her he is writing a letter and putting her name on it. The whole thing is sad really, obviously Mr. DeJesus needs to get his own life in order before he even thinks about anything else. Mr. DeJesus, do the right thing, bow out of this now, then get your financial house in order, and for God’s sake, take care of those kids!
Her name is ROSA! I believe she wrote the letter. Speculation, speculation. Leave Mario out of these, he has nothing to do with this outcome. Think. Rick is a newcomer to politics and I presume he did not realize someone was going to dig, find and then kaboom. It spreads like wildfire. If he is supporting his kids, leave him alone already.
So WHAT’S NEXT?
Dear Mr. Richard Dejesus:
On behalf of the City of Bridgeport, I would like to offer our most sincere apologies for mistakes made. While handing your tax problem, it was a gross oversight for which we accept full responsibility.
To remedy this situation, we have already fixed our original error of taxes owed ($140,000) and will be offering you a refund of $40.12. We try our best not to make mistakes, but when they happen, we try to fix them!
I hope this will make amends for the mistakes that were made. Rest assured, your unfortunate experience has helped us identify a major problem in our tax department, which has now been fixed.
If you have any questions about this issue, please contact us at 203-576-7271 and, on behalf of all of us in the tax department, we are truly sorry!
The Tax Collector
City of Bridgeport
CC
Bill Finch
Stevie Auerbach
Tom McCarthy
Rev. McCluster
Hamilton Burger
Lennie Grimaldi
The Troll
Ed Gomes
Jimfox, you are so funny! I truly enjoy reading your posts. I wouldn’t be surprised if DeJesus is with Mayor Finch right now begging him to publicly come to his defense by claiming the tax assessor made an error in his tax bill.
No Maria, I think Finch is begging DeJesus to let him come to his defense by claiming the tax assessor made an error on his tax bill, just like he did on Sal DiNardo’s for all those years.