Donovan Reads Brief Statement, Refuses To Answer Questions

Embattled House Speaker and Fifth District Democratic candidate Chris Donovan read a brief statement in the Capitol Thursday in which he denied knowing about alleged illegal activity within his campaign. (Wes Duplantier/Hartford Courant)

House Speaker Christopher Donovan appeared briefly at the state Capitol Thursday about 5 p.m., read a brief statement maintaining his innocence, and walked out wordless — without answering any of the questions that reporters called after him concerning Thursday’s indictment and arrests in the campaign financing scandal surrounding his candidacy.

Dressed casually in a blue shirt with open collar, Donovan read his statement off a piece of print-out paper with large print. Here is the statement, which lasted about a minute:

“I expected sooner or later there would be developments in this ongoing investigation. What I didn’t expect…what I’m practically speechless about, is that in spite of my hard-earned reputation for honesty, and my career working for campaign finance reform, that there are people who thought they could buy my vote.

“That’s everything that’s wrong about politics and everything I’ve spent my life fighting against. My vote is not for sale and it never has been. I’ve already told you that…I didn’t know some of the contributions that came to this campaign were illegal. My independent investigator confirmed that, he found nothing to indicate that I had any involvement in the conduct alleged in today’s indictment.

“I’ve always done what I believed to be right for Connecticut families who need someone fighting for them and I look forward to continue that fight.”

Then he walked out of the Capitol’s Hall of Flags to a waiting vehicle in the parking lot with a small trail of photographers and reporters behind him.