Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General Announces Court Victory Rejecting $1.2 Million Claim By Construction Company That Hired Rowland

January 7, 2009

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced a court victory that will save the state from paying $1.2 million in claimed construction cost overruns to C.R. Klewin Northeast, LLC, a construction company with ties to former Gov. John G. Rowland.

Klewin claims the state owes the $1.2 million -- money above and beyond an initially agreed contract price -- for construction cost overruns at Manchester Community College.

After Rowland was released from prison for his corruption sentence, Klewin hired him as a consultant to assist in collecting money from the state.

Blumenthal, who has fought Klewin's two-year effort to collect the disputed money, said the state never agreed to these cost overruns. The Superior Court in Hartford ruled that Klewin's notice of claim was inadequate and failed to meet the requirements under state law.

"This victory should finally end Klewin's meritless money grab from state taxpayers," Blumenthal said. "The state paid every penny owed to Klewin, and will pay nothing more. Having already wasted years of taxpayer time in court, Klewin should finally abandon its ill-advised fight."