Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes
of the Meeting of June 14, 2018
Student
Center - Central Connecticut State University
New
Britain, Connecticut
Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane called the meeting to order at 2:57 p.m.
In attendance were: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney John J. Russotto; State’s Attorneys Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven); Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Kevin D. Lawlor (Ansonia/Milford), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Michael L. Regan (New London), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), David Shepack (Litchfield) and John C. Smriga (Fairfield); Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John Whalen (acting State’s Attorney, Middlesex), and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Louis Luba, Jr. (Windham).
Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Michael A. Gailor and Communications and Legislative Specialist Mark A. Dupuis.
State’s Attorney Colangelo made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 21, 2018, meeting. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded the motion and it passed with no opposition.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto presented the draft Division of Criminal Justice Ethics Policy. It was agreed to replace the word “medical” on page 2, item 6, with “any,” and to delete item 4 on page 3 and renumber the remaining paragraphs accordingly. State’s Attorney Sedensky made a motion to approve the policy as amended. The motion was seconded by State’s Attorney Colangelo and approved without opposition. The policy will be forwarded to the Connecticut Association of Prosecutors (CAP) to determine if any issues require collective bargaining. A separate “Ethical Guidelines for Prosecutors” document is being prepared by Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Gailor and is subject to CAP review.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported that State’s Attorneys Colangelo, Griffin, Platt and Preleski have begun the process of developing Strategic Business Plans with assistance from the University of Connecticut Department of Public Policy. State’s Attorneys Colangelo and Platt reported on their interaction with the UConn graduate students. A fall presentation is planned for all State’s Attorneys. State’s Attorney Griffin is hopeful the process will provide a framework for the development of plans specific to the Division.
Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto reported on the budget and potential impact of SEBAC (State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition) provisions on manager compensation. It was noted that State’s Attorney compensation is now less than 2 percent more than that of the highest compensated bargaining unit supervisors and with health insurance costs included is less than that of some bargaining unit supervisors.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that he will be meeting with the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence to discuss legislation proposed by the alliance to repeal the statute of limitations for sexual assaults. No support was expressed by the State’s Attorneys for a total elimination of the statute of limitations in such cases.
State’s Attorney Sedensky recommended that the Legislative Committee examine legislation or Practice Book revisions to provide a process through which a criminal case can be nolled without automatic dismissal and erasure of records. It was also recommended the Division focus on discovery/disclosure proposed by the defense bar but rejected in the 2018 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Chief State’s Attorney Kane will pursue discussions. The State’s Attorneys were unanimous in their belief that no serious problem actually exists.
Chief State’s Attorney Kane reported that the composition of the task force to study habeas matters created pursuant to Special Act 18-18 remains a critical issue if the task force is to succeed.
There being no further business, State’s Attorney Smriga made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Colangelo seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 3:49 p.m.