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Blumenthal Calls Marshal’s Alleged Shakedowns “Deeply Disturbing”
by Paul Bass | Jun 24, 2010 7:16 am
(14) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author
Posted to: City Hall
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Wednesday that he’s looking into whether to investigate civil or criminal questions about the role of a New Haven marshal in collecting taxes.
Blumenthal made the comment in a release issued one day after the Independent reported on a New Haven government audit about the activities of politically connected marshal Peter Criscuolo. Auditors reported eight examples of Criscuolo allegedly collecting excessive fees based on “coercion,” an erroneous tax warrant, or misrepresented facts. Criscuolo managed to “coerce” a $5,000 delinquent tax fee from one business that had already paid up—and “misrepresented” facts in order to collect a $2,000 fee on a $133 tax bill, according to the audit. The administration of Mayor John DeStefano reformed its marshal policy in the wake of the audit, but spent close to a year trying to keep its findings private. And it has resumed working with Criscuolo, a mayoral fundraiser (who did not respond to requests for comment on the audit).
“These reports of alleged abuses, if true, are deeply disturbing and call for investigation,” Blumenthal stated in the release. “Within the past few days, my office has received complaints on this issue. We are consulting with other civil and criminal authorities.”
It’s unclear whether Blumenthal will in fact launch an investigation. The question has political implications: Blumenthal, a Democrat, is running for U.S. Senate. Criscuolo (pictured) is Democratic town chairman of North Haven and a veteran campaign fundraiser.
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Comments
posted by: Free New Haven on June 23, 2010 4:26pm
Any word on if Criscuolo is a campaign contributor to AG Blumenthal?
posted by: fedupinnewhaven on June 23, 2010 4:28pm
If Blumenthal does not investigate he will lose my vote…who cares if this guy is the democratic chair in North Haven…
posted by: Fat Chance on June 23, 2010 8:09pm
This will not be investigated. Our own Tricky Dicky probably thinks North Haven is somewhere in Vietnam. It’s a long way from Hartford, and so is New Haven. Who cares about the peasants and their quaint customs.
posted by: Dominik on June 23, 2010 9:02pm
“We are the party that supports transparency and accountability in government and is committed to providing North Haven residents with the highest quality of services at the lowest cost to taxpayers.
http://www.northhavendems.com/
“
I am surprised that no one has called for this man to resign. This is why I always vote third party. John Mertens is getting my vote this year!!
posted by: streever on June 24, 2010 8:49am
I filed a complaint with the Department of Justice when he said he’d “talk to the low bidding marshals” in response to the bids being lowered by more marshals bidding.
They informed me that despite his comment, because the bid process had not been affected at the current time, they would not investigate, but had contacted Blumenthal.
He did not follow up then: perhaps because the issue was less serious.
I am hopeful that he will use this opportunity to do some good & investigate not only Criscuolo but the whole city. This is a pretty clear example of corruption—the Mayor was aware of the extortion and continued to use Marshal Criscuolo.
Blumenthal has been a strong advocate for citizens rights, and a good ally to the consumer. Hopefully he can ignore the campaign contributions that Criscuolo lavishes on the Mayor and fully investigate this situation.
posted by: Not Surprised on June 24, 2010 8:51am
Can someone please check on why the Controller, Mark Pietrosimone is not ... fired? That audit shows that he allowed illegal activity to continue within the City. He’ll probably be allowed to retire…and who they cover up for. He oversees ALL of this corruption, and he pretends that he is on top of things, but is really just covering up the truth…..like the audit. He is a disgrace. It’s very well known that he knows, and should know about everything that goes on there regarding fiscal issues. .... He is not upholding his duties to protect the taxpayers of the city. .... This is a travesty. Criscuolo should ... never get work from the city .... and the Controller should definitely be fired. Blumenthal has to conduct a full investigation on this. If he wants my vote he will.
posted by: streever on June 24, 2010 8:56am
Both Jefferey Kerekes and I reported the marshal to the DoJ, Attorney General, Governor, and Marshal Commission.
If our do-nothing city is content to sit back and pay consultants to figure out if this man did anything wrong, then keep him on after getting back an audit which suggests he did, I am going to see that they are questioned and contacted by every outside agency I can find.
posted by: Cedarhillresident on June 24, 2010 9:57am
I also asked to have this looked at and I am glad to see that “by Blummy’s account” there where many others that did to. We need a full city audit. Top down. Connect the dots as someone said. There is so much more here. Richard thank you for looking into this but it is way bigger and the citizens are willing to stand by you.
posted by: Steve on June 24, 2010 9:58am
Streever and Jeffery,
This could possibly fall under Federal Jurisdiction if it is a RICO type of charge!
Also the Mayor’s office appears to have known about and suppressed this information which would make them culpable.
Would you report to US Attorney’s Office?
posted by: Streever on June 24, 2010 12:48pm
Steve, CHR, definitely. I am currently in contact with the Department of Justice, and will expand the list of agencies to include the attorneys office. Thanks for the heads up.
posted by: JB on June 24, 2010 6:46pm
What happened to the money that was collected (the taxes that weren’t owed and the excessive fines)?
I truly hope an investigation happens into all the details.
Thank you, NHI, for exposing and covering this very important story and thanks to the people who reported the activity to the Atty Gen.
posted by: Electedstateofficial on June 24, 2010 10:19pm
Our AG is a “stand-up” guy who ruled that double billing by the marshals is unlawful under the statute. That legal opinion reduced marshal earnings from serving foreclosures by the millions of dollars each year. That opinion was less than a year ago.Don’t think because Mr. Criscoulo is a town chair that justice will not be served.
