
Hey, I need the money
Would you give it to an ex-con, convicted and imprisoned for theft, misuse of campaign funds and acceptance of bribes so he could return to the legislature and do it again? Probably not – you might want to waste it on your children, perhaps, or pay your mortgage, but your friends in the Connecticut Democrat Party have a better idea and just spent your money for you.
(Republican opponent to the grant) Cashman’s position stems from the SEEC’s recent decision to award a grant to ex-state Sen. Ernest Newton, D-Bridgeport, who was sentenced in February 2006 to five years in federal prison and three years probation. Newton was convicted of taking a $5,000 bribe, diverting $40,682 in campaign contributions to himself and others and failing to report the money on his income tax return.
Newton wants his old 23rd District seat back and was endorsed in May by city Democrats. [shades of Marion Barry – ED]
If Newton wins the Aug. 14 primary against incumbent Sen. Edwin Gomes and state Rep. Andres Ayal he will be eligible for an additional $91,000 general grant to face Republican challenger Caz Mizera, of Stratford.
Reached for comment, Francis Fudrucker, Chairwoman of Greenwich Demokrats Want What’s Yours was unapologetic: “If we debarred every politician who dipped his hand in the till we’d have no politicians at all,” he pointed out, “and where would we be then? Besides, he’s a Democrat, in case you didn’t notice. This is Connecticut – don’t be naive. “