Criminal Justice Commission
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Minutes of the Meeting of December 19, 2022
The Honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
In addition to Justice McDonald, participating in the meeting were: The Honorable Melanie L. Cradle, Attorneys Robert Berke, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Scott Murphy and Moy Ogilvie and Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to accept the minutes of the November 14, 2022 meeting. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed 5-0, with Attorneys Betts and Berke abstaining.
Justice McDonald said the Commission was to interview candidates for three positions of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney in the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Waterbury, Geographical Area (G.A.) No. 4; one position of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Stamford, G.A. No. 1; one position of Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Fairfield, Habeas Matters; and consideration of a Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney.
Waterbury State’s Attorney Maureen Platt, Fairfield State’s Attorney Joseph T. Corradino and Stamford/Norwalk State’s Attorney Paul J. Ferencek and Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist Janice duFrend were present to participate in the interviews of candidates for Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney.
Attorney Murphy moved to enter into executive session to discuss candidates for the positions. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The executive session began at 9:14 a.m.
At 11:28 a.m. the Commission took a short recess and resumed its executive session at 11:36 a.m.
The executive session ended at 1:05 p.m. Justice McDonald announced that no motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to approve Marsha Beckford, Jessica Grey and Jeffrey Temple for conditional appointments as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys in the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Waterbury, Geographical Area (G.A.) No. 4. The appointments will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individuals selected have successfully completed a background check and that no adverse findings were found in the background check which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individuals selected to serve as prosecutorial officials within the Division of Criminal Justice. Attorney Murphy seconded the motion and it passed 6-0, with Attorney Betts not present for the vote.
Attorney Ogilvie moved to approve Eileen Ornousky for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Stamford, G.A. No. 1.The appointment will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed a background check and that no adverse findings were found in the background check which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division. Judge Cradle seconded the motion and it passed 6-0, with Attorney Betts not present for the vote.
Attorney Murphy moved to approve Jonathan Formichella for conditional appointment as Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Fairfield, Habeas Matters. The appointment will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed a background check and that no adverse findings were found in the background check which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division. Chief State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed 6-0, with Attorney Betts not present for the vote.
Chief State’s Attorney Griffin moved to approve Steven Alquesta for conditional appointment as a Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney. The appointment will be effective upon the Chief State’s Attorney certifying to the Commission that the individual selected has successfully completed a background check and that no adverse findings were found in the background check which would call into question the fitness and suitability of the individual selected to serve as a prosecutorial official within the Division. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed 6-0, with Attorney Betts not present for the vote.
Justice McDonald thanked the Commission for its work in 2022 and wished members happy holidays.
There being no further business, Judge Cradle moved to adjourn the meeting. Attorney Ogilvie seconded the motion and it passed 6-0 with Attorney Betts not present for the vote. The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.