Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting
Minutes of Meeting of June 15, 2020
The meeting was called to order at 1:11 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 Attorneys Kevin D. Lawlor and John J. Russotto; Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Doyle, Jr., Brett Salafia and Sharmese Walcott; State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Gail P. Hardy (Hartford), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Brian Preleski (New Britain), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Michael L. Regan (New London), Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Maureen T. Platt (Waterbury) and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham); Director of Communications Alaine Griffin.
Prior to the regular meeting being called, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo introduced guest Kenya Rutland, principal of KJR Consulting. Mr. Rutland introduced Kimberly DeMur, a strategic operations associate with KJR. Following introductions, Mr. Rutland discussed plans to focus on organizational development and training at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney. The presentation ended at 1:09 p.m.
State’s Attorney Gailor moved to accept the minutes of the May 18, 2020, meeting. State’s Attorney Mahoney seconded the motion and it passed with no one in opposition.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported on the Division’s preparations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including efforts by State’s Attorneys to inform judges about cases that are ready to move forward and protective orders that are needed. The discussion also centered on the acquisition of laptops, web cameras and other technology needed to conduct priority courthouse business. With a $278,000 grant from the state’s Office of Policy and Management, the Division will be able to acquire virtual private network (VPN) capabilities and other technology to provide access to the Case Management System (CMS) for remote work. Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo said as courthouses reopen, the Judicial Branch will be controlling the number of people inside the building and it is possible trials will not be held this year. Aside from a few problems with web cameras, some State’s Attorneys reported that the technology is working allowing them to move forward with pre-trials.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo led a discussion about resolving infractions without requiring people to come to court by utilizing three per diem prosecutors in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney to screen the cases so State’s Attorneys can focus on criminal cases.
Following a suggestion from State’s Attorney Mahoney that the proposed plan to screen infractions at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney be run like a pilot program, State’s Attorney Preleski made a motion that the State’s Attorneys establish a pilot program that centralizes all of the state’s infractions at the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney until the end of 2020. State’s Attorney Sedensky seconded Preleski’s motion. The motion passed with State’s Attorneys Gailor, Corradino, Hardy, Gallo, Griffin, Preleski, Regan, Ferencek, Platt, Gedansky and Mahoney voting in favor and State’s Attorneys Sedensky and Kelley voting against.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo discussed the Police Transparency and Accountability Task Force police reform recommendations, recent amendments to the Police Officer Standards and Training Council’s use-of-force policies and the creation of a policing task force by the Connecticut Bar Association.
Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo scheduled a meeting with the State’s Attorneys at the Rocky Hill office on June 23 at 1 p.m. He said proper social distancing protocols would be followed.
There being no further business State’s Attorney Kelley moved to adjourn. State’s Attorney Mahoney seconded the motion and it passed with no one in opposition. The meeting adjourned at 2:24 p.m.