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Sunday, January 29, 2017
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Apparently that eye on the sparrow proved to be a little too much scrutiny for Mayor Bronin's nominee to fill a vacant Board of Education seat. Word tonight from Hartford City Hall sources is that Bronin's pick, Harold Sparrow, has withdrawn his name from consideration.
The news of Sparrow's homophobic past was first detailed by another local blogger, Jonathan Pelto, you can read that story here http://jonathanpelto.com/2017/01/27/breaking-news-hartford-mayor-nominates-anti-gay-marriage-leader-vacancy-hartford-school-board/
This nomination by Bronin was another misstep in an Administration that seems to be plagued by amateur mistakes. Has no one on Bronin's high paid staff ever heard of Google or the Internet?Apparently Jonathan Pelto has. Wouldn't that normally be the first turn to vette a name for an appointment before going public with the announcement? Just type it in and see what pops up, It really is quite simple, as well as a common business practice.
I would think that any good staffer, with the Mayor's best interest in mind would check out any nominee to avoid embarrassment to the Boss. But apparently that is not the case at 550 Main Street. And these missteps don't do an awful lot to build confidence in the City of Hartford's operations as Mayor Bronin continues his suburban Town Hall tour.
We need to get our own house in order if people are to really believe Hartford has changed its mistakes of the past. So far it seems to be more business as usual. But at least we can take our eye off the sparrow and move on to the next distraction.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
JUST A REMINDER, DON'T FORGET THE FUNDRAISER
Tomorrow, Sunday January 29,2017, please attend if you can.
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.
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 27, 2017
FOI PROPOSED RULING, HARTFORD SCHOOLS VIOLATED STATE LAW IN GENAO COVERUP
Eduardo Genao
Many of the violations were glaring in their lack of transparency, someone had a very heavy hand with the black Sharpie marker to block out what they didn't want me to see. The hearing officer at the FOI Commission initially issued an order for the Board to turn over all of the documents for what is called an "In camera" review. During the review, all of the documents were observed, and in most part it was found that the redaction's and the withholding of documents was a violation of the Freedom of Information Act. You can read the obliterated documents in my earlier postings here http://wethepeoplehartford.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-pattern-of-abuse-deception-and.html
The proposed finding orders the Hartford Board of Education to provide most of the documents, with a few exceptions, to me "Forthwith". It is unclear why the Superintendent of Hartford Schools and the layers and Administrators at the Board Offices would fight so hard to engage in a cover-up for a pervert predator. Oh yeah, alleged pervert predator.
Although this process has taken almost a year to get to this point, it is worth it when the safety of Children is involved. Peeling back the layers of the Board's covering for Genao will hopefully serve notice the next time the appear to let a predator roam free in their midst that such behavior will be uncovered and not allowed. It is also amazing that we can pay attorneys to orchestrate these coverups, clearly in violation of Connecticut law, which they are sworn to uphold.
Maybe that is a budget cut we should look at instead of teachers and para professional's being cut
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.
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.
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
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/hartford-attorney-pleads-guilty-money-laundering-charges-stemming-stock-pump-and-dump
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