SEX HARASSMENT HEARING
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Some Connecticut lawmakers say they know sexual harassment has occurred at the state Capitol, but believe people have avoided making complaints because of the power legislators wield over staff, lobbyists and others. Democratic Killingly Sen. Mae Flexer says “each one of us could give multiple stories of people who chose not to be the hero” and file a complaint, worried their career could be harmed. She says victims need more options to file complaints. She’s also seeking new policies concerning legislators who have relationships with staff. The Committee on Legislative Management held a hearing Monday to review the legislature’s sexual harassment policies in light of national attention on the issue. Jim Tamburro, the legislature’s human resources administrator, says only one complaint – submitted recently – has been filed in 10 years.
EMBEZZLEMENT CASE OVER
A former Waterford resident who used to work for former Mashantucket-Pequot tribal chairman Skip Heyward has resolved her embezzlement case. 53-year old Karen Sullivan was going to be on trial for allegedly stealing more than 123-thousand dollars from Heyward, while he and his wife managed a dozen properties they owned. She was fired in 2014. Sullivan Friday pleaded guilty to fourth-degree larceny, and was sentenced to two years probation. She also paid in cash 12-thousand dollars in restitution.
SLOTS UP
Both local casinos posted increases in slot revenues last month. Foxwoods Resort Casino reports a more than 12-percent increase, compared to March of last year. Mohegan Sun reports a 4-point-2 percent increase in March, compared to the same time in 2017. The two casinos combined will give the state 24-point-6 million dollars, per the slots agreement.
STABBING PLEA
A Norwich man pleads not guilty to accusations he stabbed a man at a neighbor’s cookout. 37-year old Shawn Delcastillo appeared Monday in New London Superior Court. Police say Delcastillo got into an argument with someone at 46 Boswell Avenue in Norwich in October, stabbed the individual in the chest, then fled. Medical records show the stabbing victim suffered a punctured lung, but didn’t want to identify the suspect. Police later arrested Delcastillo, who’s out on 150-thousand dollars bond, and is due back in court May 17th.
HARTFORD MAYOR NOT RUNNING
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin says he has decided not to run as a Democratic candidate for governor. Bronin announced Monday he is ending his exploratory committee and will “stay focused on my work as mayor.” The announcement comes amid criticism from some gubernatorial candidates and other politicians about an agreement to have the state of Connecticut pay off $550 million of Hartford’s debt over the next 20 years to help the struggling city avoid bankruptcy. Some state lawmakers want to scale back the agreement. Bronin says he doesn’t want his status in the 2018 governor’s race “to be a reason for people to condemn or politicize” the agreement and he “cannot let Hartford’s future become the casualty of a political fight.” Bronin says he’s excited to keep working for Hartford.
FLU CASES BACK UP
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Public health officials in Connecticut say there has been a spike in flu-related illnesses and hospitalizations. The Department of Public Health in a statement this month says an increase of influenza B viruses has been causing a “second wave” of the flu that already hit the state hard. The department has recorded 138 flu-related deaths this season, up from 131 the week before the release was issued. The number of deaths is the highest it’s been in five years. So far, nearly 10,300 people have tested positive for flu in the state. The department says more than 3,000 people have been hospitalized.
