US ATTORNEY'S STATEMENT ON BRINSON GUILTY PLEA

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-attorney-pleads-guilty-money-laundering-charges-stemming-stock-pump-and-dump

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, January 20, 2017

Hartford Attorney Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charges Stemming from Stock "Pump and Dump" Scheme

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that COREY BRINSON, 36, of Hartford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a money laundering charge stemming from his involvement in a securities fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately October 2010 and July 2016, BRINSON, a licensed attorney, served as the nominal “securities counsel” for several companies whose securities were marketed and sold to the investing public by Christian Meissenn and Meissenn’s business associates in a stock “pump and dump” scheme. Meissenn and his associates induced investors to purchase securities by making false and misleading representations about the securities and the issuing companies, thereby causing the price of those securities to become falsely inflated. After selling their own shares at a profit, the scheme’s participants allowed the price of the securities to fall, leaving investors with worthless and unsalable stock. As a result, victim investors lost millions of dollars.

As part of the scheme, BRINSON, who did not have any experience with securities and securities markets, signed, or permitted others to affix his signature to, false and misleading attorney opinion letters that were designed to provide assurances to securities transfer agents and prospective investors. Among other things, the opinion letters falsely certified that BRINSON, as an attorney, had adequately reviewed corporate records and filings and was satisfied with the adequacy of the companies’ public disclosures. The opinion letters were then provided to securities transfer agents and prospective investors. BRINSON also received deposits of millions of dollars in proceeds of securities transactions into his Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (“IOLTA”). Rather than use the proceeds to purchase securities and fund operations at the underlying companies, Meissenn and others directed BRINSON to distribute nearly all the money to what proved to be relatives, associates and shell companies associated with Meissenn and his associates.

BRINSON knew that approximately $3 million that passed through his IOLTA were the proceeds of this illegal securities scheme. In exchange for providing his services, BRINSON received approximately five percent of the proceeds that passed through his IOLTA. In addition, BRINSON also received payment for preparing the false opinion letters. As a result of these activities, BRINSON’s personal gain was a total of approximately $200,000.

BRINSON pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2017.

BRINSON surrendered his law license in November 2016.

On November 8, 2016, Meissenn pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of tax evasion. He awaits sentencing.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Banking and the Hartford and Stamford Police Departments. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi M. Perry and Peter S. Jongbloed.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-attorney-pleads-guilty-money-laundering-charges-stemming-stock-pump-and-dump

BRINSON PLEADS GUILTY

This has been coming for some time. I posted about it months ago, but apparently former Hartford Councilman and outcast  attorney Corey Brinson today made it official and plead guilty to money laundering charges. The deal as explained to me last year included at least 2 years in Federal prison for Brinson, although a longer term may be in line now when he is sentenced

Here is more about Brinson's legal troubles as well as a link to the original blog post  http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2016/11/more-trouble-for-former-hartford.html

A CLARIFICATION FYI

A blog reader asked earlier tonight " I have a question regarding the Hartford Police. In Hartford Courant articles I often see in comments that "Retired Hartford police do not get Medical Insurance". This does not seen possible. Do they mean they don't get 100 percent city paid retiree medical insurance? I'm beginning to think that if a retiree has to pay $200 a month out of their own pocket, people are saying they don't have retiree health insurance. Can someone please clarify?"

Here is the answer to that question in a screenshot a Union member sent me tonight.

I hope that helps answer your question. By the looks of those rates, I think most HPD retirees would welcome a $200.00 monthly bill.

And thank you to the unnamed blog reader for the info.

ANOTHER CONTENTIOUS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

And no, the Clinton /Trump feud isn't being revived. That one is still official. This time it is the Hartford Police Union's battle for President.

The race for HPD Union President originally started as a 3 way race between the current Union President  Sgt. Richard Holton, Sgt. Vinnie Benvenuto who is assigned as a Patrol Supervisor, and  Sgt. John Szewczyk who is assigned as a Supervisor in Booking and Detention. Sgt. Holton has since dropped out of the race and replaced by Officer Nick Trigilia.

Sgt. Benvenuto is also a retired NYPD Sergeant, having served 20 years in the Big Apple in various positions and has risen through the ranks in Hartford to become an HPD supervisor. Sgt. Szewczyk  is also a Selectman in Durham. Officer Trigilia serves as an employee member to Hartford's Pension Commission.

 What normally doesn't attract a lot of attention, even among their own members, has turned into a heated race with allegations and criticism being hurled from all sides.

Sgt. Holton's 8 page "manifesto" to the HPD Union membership is below. Sgt. Benvenuto has taken to the internet to explain his ideas to the HPD membership. Benvenuto and his slate's  website can be found at bluechange.org

 A debate among the candidates was held last night and , according to sources who were in attendance, added to the bizarre nature of the race.

The position of HPD Union President is a "detached assignment" position, which means that they are able to work as the Union President and receive their full salary paid by HPD , even though they are not assigned to a working position during that time ,plus a "stipend" from the Union. Currently that "stipend" is  $36,000 for the Union President in addition to their regular salary, plus they are still available for overtime and PJ's.

Benvenuto, on his website, promises to reduce his stipend to $16,000 per year and offer a spending savings to the Union's membership. Benvenuto and his entire slate promise to return $41,600  back to the Union coffers in reduced stipends.

Holton Manifesto  on Scribd

IS SOMEONE ACTUALLY LISTENING? BEWARE GUN THUGS IN HARTFORD

Back on December 13th, I posted this on the blog, http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2016/12/are-we-serious-about-getting-guns-off.html

Yesterday, the US Attorney's Office and HPD announced a collaborative effort to reduce gun violence in Hartford.

The initiative will be called the Focused Violence Reduction Team and will combine a team effort between Federal Agencies , Federal Prosecutors and HPD. The program was discussed at HPD's Public Compstat last night. The initiative should send a clear message to criminals participating in Violent crimes in Hartford and using firearms.

Federal Prosecutor Mike Gustafson explained that the effort will allow many more tools to be put into the HPD toolbox, among them the use of Federal Grand Juries and wiretap surveillance. Federal prosecutions and sentencing also seem to be more lengthy under Federal prosecutions.

Hartford Police Chief James Rovella also said that having certain HPD Officers "cross-sworn" as Federal agents will also allow gun arrests to be handled immediately in the Federal courts when needed. FBI ,DEA and ATF agents  as well as other Federal resources will be committed to the team to produce results above and beyond the exemplary efforts already achieved by Rovella's own initiative, Hartford's Shooting Task Force

The Office of the Chief States Attorney has also assigned a State prosecutor to the team. That State prosecutor will also be cross sworn to prosecute cases in the Federal system.

BIG SHOES TO FILL

It is a little difficult to think of many Hartford elected officials who have left office in recent history without a cloud of impropriety or corruption surrounding them. Retired Probate Judge Bob Killian is one that immediately comes to mind and as of last week, State Senator Eric Coleman is another. Senator Coleman resigned his position last week to pursue his interest in being appointed a Superior Court Judge by Governor Malloy, Senator Coleman has served the 2nd Senatorial district for almost twenty years. The 2nd District consists of North Hartford and portions of  Bloomfield and Windsor.

Coleman has had an exemplary career at the Capitol and rose to a position of prominence with both his Senate colleagues as well as his constituents. His quiet demeanor as well as his integrity and honesty and strong work ethic will be hard to replace.

A special election will be scheduled roughly 60 days from the time of Coleman's resignation to elect Senator Coleman's successor.  Right now several names are being floated or have expressed an interest in replacing Coleman. Two of the names to be taken seriously are 7th District State Representative Doug McCrory and former Connecticut State Treasurer Joe Suggs. McCrory is a Hartford resident, Joe Suggs is a Bloomfield resident, as is Senator Coleman.

A couple other names I am hearing, and I hope more as a joke rather than any serious campaign are former Hartford Council members Shawn Wooden and Ken Kennedy.It would be a shame to replace a man of integrity like Coleman with someone that doesn't know the meaning of integrity and has no problem with corrupt activities.

 Hartford Treasurer Adam Cloud was apparently also considering a run but reportedly has decided against it..