Paul Puzzo made headlines collecting $300,000 a year as CEO of the Community Renewal Team, which runs anti-poverty programs in the Hartford area. Now he’s back in the news, thanks to the Courant’s Jon Lender, who dug into the agency’s tax records to show that Puzzo, despite moving to Florida, is still on the agency’s payroll with a six-figure compensation package.
Read more in Lender’s Government Watch column.
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6 Responses to $100,000+ Salary While Living Out of State. That’s One Way to Battle Poverty.
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Mr Puzzo, as far as I can tell or read ,did nothing wrong criminal or otherwise.
This is a private agreement between him and his former employer.
What is your problem? Jealous?
This is America, the land of the free, home of the almighty dollar.
CRT probablty broke IRS rules for Non-Profit Tax Exempt Organizations. CRT wrote, that “Mr. Puzzo’s compensation package is funded only by non-federal and non-state sources. Money comes from unrestricted private, local and corporate funding, as well as CRT’s performance-based programs.” In my book if the money originates from Tax Payer dollars you can call it something else (performance-based programs) but it still originated from my pocket. State and Federal money come with rules that must be followed.
CRT says, “All of the Agency’s activities are audited annually by independent auditors, and CRT has received unqualified opinions for more than 10 years, with no material weaknesses nor significant control deficiencies.”
Time to get a NEW audit firm! Sounds like the audit firm that audited Colonial Realty, Bernie Madoff, and the just convicted auditor of F & S Oil Co see
http://www.justice.gov/usao/ct/Press2012/20120202-4.html
This is misfeasance, perhaps even malfeasance by the Board Chair Betancourt and current Pres/CEO Lena Rodriguez, who succeeded Puzzo. CRT cannot lose its Non-Profit status. Many good honest people work at CRT and it would be disastrous to the committed employees and clients in need of vital services. Mr. Puzzo is gone. However, a game change needs to occur. The Pres/CEO of CRT and Board Chair have to go!! Their lack of oversight, and obvious neglect of matters at hand clearly endangers future funding for CRT and jeopardizes the clients. The apparent manipulation of IRS Form 990 appears criminal. Lastly, the ridiculous statements made by the CRT spokesperson do not add up. Why haven’t we heard from Ms. Rodriguez? Where is the Pres/CEO is she dreaming of her future Florida deal?
According to CRT “Mr. Puzzo’s compensation package is funded only by non-federal and non-state sources. Money comes from unrestricted private, local and corporate funding, as well as CRT’s performance-based programs.” In my book if the money originates from Tax Payer dollars you can call it something else (performance-based programs) but it still originated from my pocket. Local, State and Federal money have rules that must be followed.
Why are the Officials not stopping this greedy sucking of PUBLIC funds (Municipal, State, Federal) by the Fat Cat CRT Presidents – Current President (Rodriguez) and Former President (Puzzo). She wanted the $300,000 a year JOB. He sold her the JOB for his $100,000 a year Golden Parachute. That’s a lot of money!!