Division of Criminal Justice Advisory Board
Office of the Chief State's Attorney
300 Corporate Place
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Minutes of the Meeting of April 4, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 12:31 p.m. by State's Attorney Anne F. Mahoney.
Also present were Acting Chief State’s Attorney John J. Russotto, Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys Kevin Lawlor and Robert Devlin; State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford); Stephen J. Sedensky (Danbury); Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield); Sharmese Walcott (Hartford); David Shannon (Litchfield); Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex); Brian Preleski (New Britain); Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven); Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk); Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury); and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham); Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John Doyle, Gail Hardy and Brett Salafia; Legislative Liaison Melanie Dykas; Manager of Research and Planning Kyle Baudoin, Director of Communications, Alaine Griffin and Criminal Justice Commission Member Scott Murphy (phone).
A motion to accept the minutes from the March 7, 2022 meeting was made by Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Lawlor and was seconded by State's Attorney Corradino. It passed unanimously.
There was no Management Committee report. State's Attorney Platt reported for the Operations Committee, saying a Zoom meeting with committee members would soon be scheduled. The use of body-worn cameras by Inspectors would be the next issue taken up by the committee.
With respect to the Peer Review process, the reviews are on hold until a successor is appointed for the position of Chief State’s Attorney. Acting Chief State's Attorney Russotto indicated that he anticipates moving forward with these reviews at the end of May or early June.
There were no conflicts to discuss.
In other business, State's Attorney Mahoney spoke about having representatives from each Judicial District participate in discussions concerning the prosecution of child abuse cases. State's Attorney Mahoney also indicated that former prosecutor, Elizabeth Tanaka, would be willing to speak at a diversity training/luncheon. Attorney Tanaka teaches a class on hate crimes, in particular, those focused on Asian Americans.
State's Attorney Ferencek made a motion to adjourn at 12:43 p.m. It was seconded by State's Attorney Narducci and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:43 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 12:33 p.m. by State's Attorney Michael Gailor.
Also present were Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr.; Deputy Chief State’s Attorneys John J. Russotto, Kevin Lawlor and Robert Devlin; State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford); Stephen J. Sedensky (Danbury); Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield); Sharmese Walcott (Hartford); Dawn Gallo (Litchfield); Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex); Brian Preleski (New Britain); Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven); Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk); Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury); and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham); Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John Doyle, Gail Hardy and Brett Salafia; Legislative Liaison Melanie Dykas; and Criminal Justice Commission Member Scott Murphy. Also present were Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Bruce Lockwood (Appellate) and Senior Assistant State's Attorney Timothy Sugrue (Appellate).
A motion to accept the minutes from the February 7, 2022 meeting was made by State's Attorney Sedensky and seconded by State's Attorney Griffin. It passed unanimously.
Deputy Chief State's Attorney Russotto reported for the Management Committee. The Employee Assistance Program will begin to reach out to the various Judicial Districts for wellness checks. They will begin with two Judicial Districts as a pilot program. After visiting those locations, they will reassess to determine the next visits. State's Attorney Walcott offered Hartford as one of the pilot sites. Deputy Chief State's Attorney Russotto will make a determination as to the second site.
The Management Committee is also addressing morale issues and how various positions within the DCJ are filled. There was no further report on these topics.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported for the Operations Committee. He has appointed State's Attorney Platt as the chair going forward in light of State's Attorney Gallo’s retirement.
With respect to the Peer Review process, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that the reviews are on hold until a successor is appointed for the position of Chief State’s Attorney. He did not feel it was appropriate for him to begin the review process at this juncture.
There were no conflicts to discuss.
In other business, State's Attorney Gailor expressed sincere thanks on behalf of all of us to State's Attorney Gallo on her upcoming retirement. We are thankful for Dawn’s service and work for the Division.
State's Attorney Sedensky made a motion to adjourn at 12:42 p.m. It was seconded by State's Attorney Ferencek and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:42 p.m.