Criminal Justice Commission

Minutes of the Meeting of Friday, June 21, 2018
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
Rocky Hill, Connecticut

The Criminal Justice Commission met on June 21, 2018, to consider the reappointments of the Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration and the State’s Attorneys for the Judicial Districts of Ansonia/Milford, Danbury and Stamford/Norwalk, and the appointments of two Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys for the Judicial District of New Britain.

Justice Andrew J. McDonald, Chair of the Commission, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

In attendance were The Honorable Juliett L. Crawford, Attorney Mary M. Galvin, Attorney Eric J. George, Attorney Moy N. Ogilvie, Attorney Erick A. Russell and Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane. Also present:  Human Resources/Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Ngina McMillian and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.

Attorney George made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2018, meeting. The motion was seconded by Attorney Ogilvie and passed unanimously.

Justice McDonald reported that he had contacted the Freedom of Information Commission and was told the Commission could conduct interviews in public or executive session. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto requested the interview be conducted in public. Justice McDonald noted that the Chief State’s Attorney does not participate in the reappointment process for the Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration.

Attorney Russotto presented an opening statement and the Commission proceeded to interview him.

The Commission took a break from 11:11 to 11:19 a.m. State’s Attorney Kevin D. Lawlor gave an opening statement and was interviewed by the Commission regarding  his reappointment as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford.

At 12:27 p.m., State’s Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky III gave an opening statement after which he was interviewed regarding his reappointment as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Danbury.

The commission took a break from 1:12 to 1:20 p.m. after which State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., gave an opening statement and was interviewed regarding his reappointment as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk.

At 1:59 p.m., Attorney Russell made a motion to enter executive session to discuss the reappointments of those interviewed today. The motion was seconded by Attorney George and passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 2:46 p.m.

Attorney Ogilvie made a motion to reappoint John J. Russotto as Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration for a four-year term commencing July 1, 2018. Attorney George seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Attorney George made a motion to reappoint Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk for an eight-year term commencing July 1, 2018. Attorney Russell seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Attorney Russell made a motion to reappoint Kevin D. Lawlor as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford for an eight-year term commencing July 1, 2018. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Attorney George made a motion to reappoint Stephen J. Sedensky III as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Danbury for an eight-year term commencing July 1, 2018. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

At 2:50 p.m. New Britain State’s Attorney Brian Preleski joined the meeting and the Commission conducted interviews of Justin J. Blain, Meredith Clark, Christopher A. Griffin, Maurice Reaves, Sara C. Saucier and Marie-Louise Villar for two Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney positions in the Judicial District of New Britain.

The interviews concluded at 5:30 p.m. and after a break Attorney Russell made a motion at 5:45 p.m. to enter executive session to consider the appointments of two Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys for the Judicial District of New Britain. The motion was seconded by Attorney Ogilvie and passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 5:50 p.m.

Attorney Ogilvie made a motion to appoint Christopher A. Griffin and Maurice Reaves as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys. The motion passed unanimously. There being no further business, Attorney Russell made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Attorney Ogilvie and passed unanimously.