Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of December 7, 2022

The meeting was called to order at 12:40 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.

Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Operations Kevin D. Lawlor; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Administration, Personnel and Finance John J. Russotto, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), David R. Applegate (Danbury), Joseph T. Corradino, (Fairfield), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), David R. Shannon (Litchfield), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Christian M. Watson (New Britain), John P. Doyle, Jr. (New Haven), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).

Also Present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Lisa D’Angelo, Gail P. Hardy and Brett Salafia, Chief Inspectors Frederick P. Haddad Jr. and Michael P. Sullivan, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy J. Sugrue, Labor Relations Administrator AnneMarie Paone-Mullin, Legislative Liaison Anne Cournoyer and Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin introduced Chandra Williams, the Division’s new Grants and Contracts Manager and a former Grants and Contracts Specialist at the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin also introduced invited guests United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and Marc H. Silverman, Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S Attorney’s Office, who both discussed the importance of collaboration and sharing resources in regard to investigating and prosecuting crimes in Connecticut.

State’s Attorney Narducci moved to accept the minutes of the November 2, 2022 meeting. State’s Attorney Corradino seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said the Criminal Justice Commission would be holding a meeting in December to interview Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys candidates for the Judicial Districts of Waterbury, Stamford and Fairfield.

For another presentation, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin introduced the Honorable Dawne G. Westbrook, Chief Administrative Judge for Juvenile Matters, and other invited guests from the Judicial Branch’s Court Support Services Division.

In regard to the budget, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto provided an update on body-worn camera training for Inspectors, the order for new vehicles and inquiries from the Office of Policy and Management regarding recent budget requests.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney D’Angelo reported that the Division was currently holding a 6-day training “boot camp” for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys and would hold another training session for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys in 2023. She said emails were sent to Division employees regarding training hours.

Legislative Liaison Cournoyer reported that Division officials met recently with the chairs of the legislature's Judiciary Committee to discuss legislative matters. She reported that there will be training for a legislative tracking program and that the Legislative Session begins on January 4.

Under New Business, the State’s Attorneys discussed changes in legislation regarding the sexual assault kits that has led to questions about the retention and storage of evidence, the Judicial Branch’s latest correspondence regarding the handling of infractions and policies regarding the carrying of firearms into courtrooms by law enforcement officials.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Corradino made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Gedansky seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m.