Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of April 19, 2021
The meeting was called to order at 12:35 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. The meeting was conducted remotely utilizing Zoom software in accordance with directives issued by the Governor because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Operations Kevin D. Lawlor; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration John J. Russotto, 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), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield), Brian W. Preleski (New Britain), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), 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 and Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.
State’s Attorney Kelley moved to accept the minutes of the March 15, 2021 meeting. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed 17-0. State’s Attorneys Gallo and Walcott abstained as they had not yet joined the meeting at the time of the vote.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the Division’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including efforts to work with the Judicial Branch on reviewing and resolving pending criminal cases as courtrooms reopen to address the backlog caused by the pandemic. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said all Judicial Branch employees would soon be returning to their offices daily, and that the Division would soon have everyone return to offices daily, as well.
Regarding the budget, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the Appropriations Committee JF deadline would be April 23. He said once the committee presents its budget, the Division would know where it stands regarding funding and how to address any open positions. He reminded the State’s Attorneys that the budget is not finalized until the end of the legislative session.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo thanked Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto for his work in setting up recent focus groups with all of the State’s Attorneys and department supervisors in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto thanked the State’s Attorneys for participating and said he would soon be contacting them regarding follow-up meetings.
In regard to legislative matters, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said the Connecticut Law Tribune was possibly going to run an editorial regarding recent prosecutorial accountability legislation. It was suggested that the Division look into whether someone from the Division could sit on the board as that has been past practice.
State’s Attorney Preleski said the Management Committee was expected to meet on April 27 to discuss Division policies. He said he would send invite links to anyone interested in attending the virtual meeting. State’s Attorney Gallo asked for discussion ideas for the upcoming Operations Committee meeting. State’s Attorney Griffin, chair of the Training Committee, provided updates regarding the future Deputy Assistant State’s Attorneys boot camp program. He said the committee was in the process of finalizing program assignments and curriculum. He also said discussions are continuing regarding the next John M. Bailey seminar which will be held virtually in September.
Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Doyle reported that he met with representatives of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Forensic Science Laboratory of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection regarding the 512a Giglio Request policy. He said he also would be contacting the state Department of Correction regarding the policy.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the Information Technology department was scheduling appointments with State’s Attorneys offices for distribution of tablets. He asked State’s Attorneys to identify one or two contacts in each of their offices to serve as points of contact for help with the technology.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the Division would be hiring hourly workers for the summer to help with data entry into the Case Management System.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Walcott made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Ferencek seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 1:43 p.m.