Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of June 20, 2016
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 1:41 p.m. and thanked all in attendance for the later starting time to accommodate the unveiling of the portrait of retired Supreme Court Justice David M. Borden.

In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; State’s Attorneys Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia/Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Michael L. Regan (New London), David Shepack (Litchfield), John C. Smriga (Fairfield) and John Waddock (acting - New Haven); and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Warren C. Murray (Danbury) and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney John J. Davenport (Waterbury).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Brian Austin, Jr., and Michael A. Gailor and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

State’s Attorney Regan made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 16, 2016, meeting. State’s Attorney Shepack seconded the motion and it passed without opposition.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the 2016-17 budget. The Division is to report to the Office of Policy and Management by July 15, 2016, on how it intends to address $1.74 million in holdbacks ordered by OPM. A draft response will be circulated and a meeting prior to the scheduled July 18, 2016, meeting may be necessary to refine the response.

State’s Attorney Hardy and others expressed concern over Board of Pardons and Paroles hearings for juveniles sentenced to lengthy prison terms. There was discussion of the tendency of the board to grant parole to individuals who have lengthy disciplinary records in prison. It was also noted that parole hearings are resulting in an additional workload for prosecutors.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Austin thanked all for their participation in the Annual Professional Development Conference for Prosecutors on June 13, 2016. State’s Attorneys were invited to offer their assessments. Almost 75 percent of prosecutors have already met training requirements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Smriga made a motion to adjourn. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto seconded the motion and it passed unanimously at 3:05 p.m.