City employee City Councilman Richard Paoletto has announced his retirement from his paid position as well as his resignation from the City Council representing the Upper East Side, following a second sexual harassment claim against him in five years.
Paoletto statement:
“Today, I’m announcing my retirement from the City of Bridgeport. During my tenure as a city employee, serving most recently as the acting deputy director of housing and commercial enforcement, we’ve accomplished a lot. I’m proud of my work, as well as that of my colleagues. But I believe it’s the right time in my life to spend time with my family and move onto the next chapter of my life.
“I’m also announcing today that I will be stepping down as a city councilman, submitting my resignation to the city clerk after our next meeting. This is another area where I believe my work, as well as the work of my fellow council members, have done a lot of good for folks across our city. But it’s the right time for me to step down from this as well, and to instead concentrate on other endeavors.
“Thanks to everyone for their support over the years, and it’s been a pleasure serving the people of Bridgeport both as a city employee and as a city council member. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and look forward to what the future holds.”
CT Post scribe Brian Lockhart has more here.
Taxpayers paid him 100% of his salary for over three months while he was on suspension so he could “resign.” I can guarantee you Mayor Finch found him a nice cushy job so he could disappear quietly. Mark my words.
My guess is Leticia Colon will be his replacement.
So Rich Paoletto resigned and moved on. The question now is who will replace him? Which party loser will be appointed to fill his spot on the council? Leticia Colon would not surprise me even though she does not know the area.
Me personally I don’t care who takes his place, whoever it is will be a Finch kiss-ass.
Then there is the question of which friend will be given his city job.
Maria, I don’t know who will replace him, but history tells me it won’t be a black person. Mayor Finch has shown during his tenure he isn’t a friend of the black community and he doesn’t respect the black community. Remember who said it first!
Donald Day, I totally agree with you. I’m sure it will be a Hispanic female who will be the replacement. That’s Andy Fardy’s district so I’m sure he would know more about the replacement choice.
Sorry Ron, I have no idea. To be honest I don’t care who takes his place. I no longer give a shit.
Donald Day, does it have to be a black person? Doesn’t there have to be a special election? Thank you to Rich Paoletto for serving the City. Thank you Richie for being instrumental in cleaning up that G-d-forsaken shopping plaza that houses my favorite buffet. Thank you Richie Paoletto for supporting a beautiful park by Nob Hill. Donald Day, I have a candidate for you. SCOTT HUGHES. Wouldn’t this be a perfect opportunity to build his political resume? Anyone? It is not the Mayor who picks the candidate, it’s the people, no? Donald Day, call him. He was black the last time I checked and he is respected, eloquent, educated, politically interested, honest and sincere. So Mr. Day, I think you have your candidate. Now what???
Scott Hughes is a city employee.
My bad. Thanks, Andy.
I don’t believe the voters will have the opportunity to choose the replacement. If I am not mistaken it will be the DTC from that district that will choose the replacement. Their choice will then be accepted or rejected by the sitting members of the common council, if accepted that person is sworn in, if rejected (which I can remember happening only once) it will be because the council members decide amongst themselves on a better (in their opinion) candidate. If someone in the district is interested, but not in the loop, they should contact as many council people as possible to let them know.
Contact, still wiping sleep from my eyes, sorry.
Guilty as charged! Sounds like Finch and McCarthy were feeling the heat of covering up for him, “people are starting to ask too many questions, we can’t do this anymore, Richie.”
Bridgeport is getting bitter every day.
Now starring! Jim Fox in 50 Shades of Grey … Matter!
“Brilliant!” Variety … is the spice of life!
Bob Walsh set to star in sequel titled: 50 Shades of Grey Hair!
Lol.
I can imagine it went down something like this:
www .youtube.com/watch?v=lXZhYJcXh2I
–FFD to the two-minute mark.
Thank you, Jim Fox. I couldn’t have said it better.
Thank you, Maria. Think of it as the citizens and taxpayers taking up a collection for Richie’s going-away present.
Bye bye. Don’t let the door …
Richard Paoletto, thank you for stepping down.
And may the next chapter in your life be far away.
Credible sources are telling me Finch has approached James Morton. The same James Morton who voted to endorse Andres Ayala for State Senate over his town committee leader, Scott Hughes. The same James Morton who was trying to get people to support Don Clemons over Ed Gomes in the special election. The reality is Finch wouldn’t approach Morton about a City Council vacancy if he were not in his back pocket.
Scott Hughes for councilman!
Without a doubt James Morton is a shill for Finch. They used him as a third candidate when Ann Barney and I primaried Curwen and Paoletto. He took the votes we needed to win. Nothing but a yes man.
Andy, what about Ann Barney and/or Pat Fardy??? This could be their time.
Pat wants no part of it and I can’t speak for Ann but I doubt it.
Sounds like an arrest coming and lawsuit pending.
Bridgeport is getting Bitter every day!
Down with the Finchettes!!!
He is “retiring” from his city job and is resigning from the city council. I certainly hope he is also resigning from his elected position on the Democratic Town Committee as well. As a resident in Thomas Hooker, I believe we deserve no less.
By the way, did the city ever recover his financial penalty from the first offense that was spread over five or six years? I’m sure we did not.
Not only should every taxpayer be outraged by the absurdity of this action but every female in the city should feel violated by Richie Paoletto, Mayor Bill Finch and the City of Bridgeport.
This is disgraceful.
This is disgusting.
And this says the city of Bridgeport STILL treats sexual harassment as a joke!
I hope Richie made it up to Hartford today to testify he sees no conflict whatsoever with city employees serving on the City Council.
How silly of good government advocates to propose such a thing.
Suspension spread over 5 or 6 years. Richie feels if there were a conflict he never would have been suspended at all.
I nominate Maria Pereira for the city council from the 138th. Before we get another part-time carpetbagger from Shelton!
Jim Fox, honestly, that is the most intelligent comment you have made on this blog.
Maria, how lucky the 138th would be having you as a council woman.
Stevie, you didn’t like down with the Finchettes?
Jim Fox, not that much! 🙂
What a stupid idea. Maria may seem intelligent, because she is smart enough to surround herself with people who spoon-feed her information.
But she is a self-serving bully. She also has an open investigation regarding her illegal practices at a recent election.
True, she is not a Finch fan. But she would not be an asset to the council or the 138th.
Maybe she should consider buying some property in Bridgeport and pay taxes on it. That would help build her “investment” in the city.
What the heck, I can deal with criticism, however I don’t have any respect for someone who hides behind a handle when they offer that criticism. I do work with many intelligent people, however Judge Lopez taught me how to conduct my own research and how to connect the dots, and many people can vouch for my ability to research, compile and review information and data all on my own. I often receive calls from others who ask for my assistance in obtaining information. I do believe many of the voters in the 138th would not agree with your assertions regarding the added value I could bring to the council. In fact, as I go door to door in Thomas Hooker I am often encouraged to run for a variety of elected positions.
I have spent over $50,000 of my personal funds since 2009 on a variety of issues in Bridgeport, including jointly funding the lawsuit to overturn the illegal takeover of our BBOE.
If it weren’t for the efforts of Judge Lopez, Bobby Simmons, Sauda Baraka and me, thousands upon thousands of Bridgeport voters wouldn’t have a right to vote for their BBOE members. How’s that for an “investment” in the city?
As far as being a “bully,” I am the kid on the playground who will protect the frightened and weak against the “bully.”
I have no issue with standing up to the powerful, connected and wealthy individuals who want to marginalize the poor, middle class and minority residents of Bridgeport.
If that makes me a “bully,” so be it.
Maria Pereira, you spoke of Judge Lopez, Bobby Simmons and Sauda Baraka. I love them all, they are nothing but the best, I thank them and I thank you for your work in keeping our right to vote for who we want to serve on the BOE.
Maria, in my opinion you would make an excellent council person and would have a plethora (since Three Amigos I’ve waited for an opportunity to use that) of support. Those who know you and understand your passion, KNOW! You needn’t give any credence to the comments of those who don’t.
Serious question–if found guilty could he have possibly been fired and have his pension revoked? Next, if there is a lawsuit brought against him, is the city on the hook for any payments awarded to the victim if he is found guilty?
Jennifer,
You can be sure the city will be sued if anyone is sued using the deep pockets theory of litigation. They couldn’t get anything from Richie but plenty from the city. Also, the city would be an easy target based on the “punishment” he was given for his first offense. Any smart attorney will argue the city had an opportunity to punish Richie but instead spread it out over 5 or 6 years implying the city did not feel the offense to be egregious.
The answers are NO on the pension, and Yes.
I would rather be the attorney for the complainant than the defendant in this case. $$$. City will claim it had sexual harassment prevention training sessions, yada, yada. City (taxpayers) will pay. City will delay it as long as it can, perhaps to the next mayor. This is not a government corruption case that would address a pension.
Tom White, I totally agree with you on this.
He actually sounds like a Republican. He should probably run as a Republican instead if he is concerned about lowering taxes.
When Paoletto resigns from his Council seat, I believe it’s the recommendation from the 138th Town Committee that will refer the name of an individual to serve for the remainder of Paoletto’s term. The name of this person will be placed in nomination to the entire City Council for ratification to complete the rest of Paoletto’s term on the City Council. While this is a respected practice, it is not mandated. I do remember only one instance when it was not honored. If memory serves me, the Administration at the time did not approve of the recommendation from the district town committee, and convinced a majority of the members of the Council to trump the district preference. Let’s hope this does not occur again.
Good riddance, fat boy. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.