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Friday, January 27, 2017

LEAVING THE SINKING SHIP ?

Another Department Head in the Bronin Administration is calling it quits. Marilyn Cruz-Aponte, Hartford's Director of Public Works, has apparently notified Bronin's Office that her last day will be March 10, 2017.

Cruz-Aponte is the latest Department Head to leave a struggling City Hall. Hartford's Chief Information Officer (CIO) Sabina Sitaru left the Administration as of December 30, 2016. Sitaru was often credited with innovative techniques to deliver services to the people of Hartford as well as keeping various information technologies up and running for City Hall and the Hartford Board of Education.

Sitaru and her Department (MHIS)were also responsible for the creation of the Hartford Open Data Portal which allows the public to view City Hall data such as expense payments, building permits  and  other information that wasn't previously available to the public without a trip to City Hall.

Although I have never had the opportunity to deal with Cruz -Aponte, I can say that Sabina's vision and professionalism will be sorely missed by both her staff and residents alike.

In addition to the DPW Director and the CIO, I am  being told by City Hall sources that Hartford's Health Director may  also be planning his exit soon.

In addition, it would appear that Mayor Bronin's Suburban City Hall tour is not being received as well as expected. As of this week , plainclothes Hartford Police Officer's have been shadowing Bronin. The HPD Officers have been deployed in the crowd as Bronin speaks. This security detail has been confirmed by sources at HPD, although they would not comment on the reason or if credible threats have been received or who requested the protection.

Maybe it is time for a little self reflection by those at City Hall to figure out what is happening.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

PLEASE SUPPORT THE PARADE COMMITTEE AND THEIR EFFORTS


The Saint Patrick's Day Parade is quickly approaching. This Sunday, the Hartford Parade Committee will be holding a fundraiser to help defray the costs of putting the parade on.

Please join the Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade committee for our annual fundraising event at the Polish National Home on 60 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford from 1:00 to 5:00PM

This year, Hartford is proud to honor:
--Father Tom Gallagher, of Saint Patrick Saint Anthony Church as Town Marshal 
--Meghan Freed and Kristin Marcroft, Hartford attorneys, as Town Honorees. 

There will be delicious food, raffle, and good times to be had. 
Donation: $25/cash bar

Friday, January 20, 2017

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

Saturday, January 14, 2017

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.

Friday, January 13, 2017

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