Attorney General investigating Erin Stewart's handling of charitable assets
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and the Department of Consumer Protection have launched an investigation into former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart’s handling of charitable assets.
The investigation is looking into assets that benefit the Mayor’s Trophy Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund managed by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, according to a release from the attorney general’s office.
Tong’s office said the state has become aware of two relevant accounts — the fund managed by the Foundation, and a checking account also named Mayor’s Trophy Charitable Fund held at M&T Bank that is not managed by the Foundation.
The attorney general sent three requests for information on Wednesday, including subpoenas to Stewart and M&T Bank, and a letter of inquiry to the Foundation.
“It is our job to ensure charitable organizations adhere to all rules and regulations, and it is our priority to give donors confidence that when they give to charity, their contributions are used as intended,” Attorney General William Tong and DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a joint statement. “This inquiry will follow the facts wherever they lead, without regard to politics or personalities.”
Stewart suspended her campaign for governor last month after questions were raised about her use of a city credit card to make personal purchases while in office. State police and the FBI are investigating those allegations.
On Tuesday, documents were released showing that the city had reimbursed Stewart for more than $31,000 in tuition costs for her to complete a master’s program at the University of New Haven.
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