Chief State’s Attorney Meeting

Office of the Chief State's Attorney

300 Corporate Place

Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Minutes of the Meeting of April 4, 2022

The meeting was called to order at 12:44 p.m. by Acting Chief State’s Attorney John J. Russotto.

Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration John J. Russotto, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Brian W. Preleski (New Britain), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), David Shannon (Litchfield),  Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Doyle, Jr., Gail P. Hardy and Brett Salafia, Legislative Liaison Melanie Dykas, Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.

State’s Attorney Ferencek moved to accept the minutes of the March 7, 2022 meeting. State’s Attorney Platt seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto welcomed Naveen Prathikantam, the Division’s new Information Technology Director, and a 22-year veteran of the IT field with the State of Connecticut.  Most recently, Naveen has held the position of Director of IT with the Department of Motor Vehicles where he was responsible for the oversight and management of the agency’s IT department.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Doyle reported on his recent research of municipal body-worn camera policies and procedures for a memorandum he is preparing that will be distributed to the Division summarizing such important issues as protocols for use by Inspectors, prosecutors’ accessibility of video footage from police departments and storage and retention of the video evidence. The State’s Attorneys discussed getting guidance from the Police Officer Standards and Training Council. A decision was made that each of the State’s Attorneys would obtain body-worn camera policies from the police departments in their respective Judicial Districts. Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto said with the compiled research, the Division’s Operations Committee should begin formulating a Division-wide policy.

Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the Division’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying with the number of COVID-19 cases declining, he planned to inquire with Judge Patrick L. Carroll III, theChief Court Administrator, about when all of the state courthouses would resume full operation.

In regard to the budget, Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto discussed efforts to fill vacancies, including the hiring of special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys and summer employees for assistance with data entry.

Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto and Legislative Liaison Dykas reported on the status of legislation pending in the General Assembly. An Act Concerning Prosecutorial Accountability was voted out of the Judiciary Committee but still needs language changes as well a review by the Office of Fiscal Analysis. 

The State’s Attorneys agreed to remove the Management Challenge Discussion agenda item from future Chief State’s Attorney’s meetings.

Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reminded State’s Attorneys to submit their lists of what they think are the core competencies of prosecutors. He said the information will be used to help establish policies and assist with hiring and training matters.

In other business, Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto and Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Salafia discussed whether residency in the State of Connecticut should be part of prosecutors’ job descriptions. Other business discussed included the Division’s telework policy, prosecutor evaluations, upcoming retirements, the dates of future Criminal Justice Commission meetings and an update on the Moving Justice Forward program. There was no Executive Session.

Acting Chief State’s Attorney Russotto discussed upcoming training sessions for the Division in May and June.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Gailor made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Corradino seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.