Ansonia approves investigation into possible misuse of funds by prior administration
The City of Ansonia is hiring an outside law firm to investigate alleged misuse of city credit cards and resources.
The Board of Alders gave the go-ahead on Wednesday night to hire the Crumbie Law Firm to investigate the allegations, which include the misuse of city-issued cards, cars, gas purchases, city hall facilities, and other resources.
Lawyers for the city said that when Mayor Frank Tyszka (D) took over in December, they didn’t know who had credit cards and that there were no spending policies in place at City Hall. Tyszka requested that the Board of Alders approve hiring the firm for the independent investigation after finding alleged irregularities.
“God forbid this is really a disaster,” Tyszka said. “I hope it’s not. But I hope we get the truth. That’s all I’m looking for.”
Tyszka did not say how much money was misused, but said it was enough to warrant an investigation. Two alders voted no on approving the investigation, saying they wanted to know a dollar amount. The city has reviewed the past three years of records, but lawyers did not disclose any details of misuse.
“We want to be very careful,” said Caroline Baird, part of Ansonia Corporation Counsel. “We don’t want to make any allegations until we have all of the facts.”
No current or former city employee was accused of mishandling funds, but when NBC Connecticut called former mayor David Cassetti, he referred to his attorney, who said it was a “political witch hunt.”
“I don’t think there’s any validity to any of the allegations, and I don’t believe the investigation’s gonna uncover anything,” said attorney Rob Serefinowicz. “I believe it’s just gonna be a waste of taxpayer money, a great deal of taxpayer money.”
Tyszka firmly stated that the investigation is not targeted.
“I have no personal vendetta to do anything, but if money was taken or something was stolen, I have an ethical, moral obligation, fiduciary responsibility to the city to find out,” said Tyszka.
City lawyers will be speaking with those at the law firm on Thursday regarding a retainer and the cost of the investigation, officials said. Tyszka said those costs will not fall on the taxpayer.
NBC Connecticut has requested city spending records through the Freedom of Information Act.
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