Chief State’s Attorney Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of February 1, 2023

The meeting was called to order at 12:45 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin.

Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Operations Kevin D. Lawlor; Deputy Chief State’s Attorney of Administration, Personnel and Finance John J. Russotto, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), David R. Applegate (Danbury), Joseph T. Corradino, (Fairfield), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), David R. Shannon (Litchfield), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Christian M. Watson (New Britain), John P. Doyle, Jr. (New Haven), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky, Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).

Also Present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys Lisa M. D’Angelo, Gail P. Hardy and Brett Salafia, Chief Inspectors Frederick P. Haddad Jr. and Michael P. Sullivan, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy J. Sugrue, Labor Relations Administrator AnneMarie Paone-Mullin, Legislative Liaison Anne Cournoyer, Legal Technology Specialist Jessica Nocera Pepper, Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin, Grants and Contracts Manager Chandra Williams and Executive Secretary Marisa DePhillips. 

State’s Attorney Gailor moved to accept the minutes of the January 11, 2023 meeting. State’s Attorney Applegate seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

Chief State’s Attorney Griffin introduced the guest speaker, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard S. Stein of the Ansonia/Milford Judicial District, for his presentation on the issue of out-of-state corporations disregarding Connecticut search warrants.

Following the review of a brief television news interview, the State’s Attorneys discussed how prosecutors can provide information to the media without jeopardizing criminal cases.

Legislative Liaison Cournoyer reported on recent legislative proposals from the Division, saying that at least four of the proposals could be raised during the legislative session. The Governor’s Office and the mayors of Connecticut’s largest cities are considering the Division’s proposed firearms legislation.

In regard to the budget, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the Governor’s budget proposal would be released on February 8 and that there would be upcoming meetings about the Division’s budget proposals held by the Joint Committee on Appropriations. 

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that the February Criminal Justice Commission meeting could be canceled. Chief State's Attorney Griffin said the Commission has inquired about whether State’s Attorneys could allow top prospective prosecutor candidates to shadow prosecutors so they may get a basic understanding of what the job entails, including duties, salary and work accommodations.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Hardy discussed recent recruiting initiatives, including a series of career fairs the Division is attending, and the coordination of a career fair to be held at the Division. Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Hardy presented a Power Point showing all aspects of the Division she intends to show at the career fairs and suggested that each Judicial District create their own Power Point for the upcoming career fair at the Division.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney D’Angelo provided an update on recent training being held at the Division.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Hardy provided an update on summer internships at the Division.

State’s Attorney Walcott moved to go into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and it passed unanimously.

No motions were made or votes taken during the executive session. There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was seconded and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.