Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of July 19, 2017
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 12:38 p.m.

In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Leonard C. Boyle and John J. Russotto; State’s Attorneys Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland); Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven); Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia/Milford), Peter A. McShane (Middlesex); Anne F. Mahoney (Windham), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury); David Shepack (Litchfield), and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Christian Watson (New Britain).

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

State’s Attorney Platt made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 19, 2017, meeting. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Boyle seconded the motion and it passed with no opposition.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported state government is operating under a Governor’s executive order in the absence of an adopted budget. The Office of Policy and Management is not approving federal grants requiring DCJ to make adjustments to fund three prosecutors whose positions are funded through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Updated statistics on caseloads by Judicial District were distributed and discussed.

Chief State’s Attorney Kane introduced guests Guy M. Vallaro and Kristin Sasinouski who provided an update on policies and procedures at the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Forensic Science Laboratory. Recent changes are designed to produce results faster and at less expense.

Legislative liaison Blanchette and Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Gailor reported on requirements of Public Act 17-180 (An Act Concerning Notification to the Police Officer Standards and Training Council) and P.A. 17-99 (An Act Concerning Court Operations, Victim Services, Fraudulent Filings and Transfers of Interest in Real Property to a Trust) affecting the Division of Criminal Justice.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Watson, as a member of a collective bargaining unit, was excused to allow for discussion of collective bargaining matters. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on tentative agreements between the Division and its bargaining units.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:52 p.m.