Another Example of Public Officials Using Taxpayers’ Money to Keep Taxpayers in the Dark about the Conduct of Public Officials

Don’t miss Don Stacom’s thorough report on a disgraced former New Britain police captain who was allowed to retire without disciplinary action or criminal investigation despite an internal-affairs probe that concluded he repeatedly had sex in a Berlin Turnpike motel and elsewhere while he was being paid – sometimes at overtime rates – to protect the city.

The internal investigation also found that Anthony Paventi lied to investigators when asked about the conduct. Nevertheless, last December he was permitted to retire at 42 and begin collecting a pension. Don also reports that as part of the retirement deal negotiated by city lawyers, officials agreed to keep the internal affairs report secret from the very residents who were funding Paventi’s retirement.

The report would have remained locked up if not for Don’s tenacity in requesting the report nine months ago, and then filing a complaint with the state’s Freedom of Information Commission when the city refused to comply. Later today, the commission is scheduled to vote on a proposed decision finding city officials violated state law in refusing Don’s request. With that decision looming, New Britain officials Tuesday released a redacted version of the 75-page report. That version blacked out far more than the Freedom of Information Commission proposed ruling allows – but that will likely be rectified at this afternoon’s commission hearing.