Prior to tomorrow's Supreme Court hearing as to whether the Grand Jury report will be remain sealed or be released to the public, preliminary portions of the report have been released.
FINAL REPORT OF FINDING OF GRAND JUROR PURSUANT TO C. G. S. 54-47g I. BACKGROUND On October 24, 2007, an Investigatory Grand Jury Panel, consisting of three Superior Court Judges, found that the administration of justice required an investigation to determine whether or not there was probable cause to believe that a crime or crimes had been committed in the administration of the government of the City of Hartford in its activities and dealings with persons or firms doing business with the city. Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes
(hereinafter referred to as C. G. S.) Section 54-47d (a)(1), the undersigned, on November 6, 2007, was appointed as a Grand Juror by the Chief Court Administrator for the State of Connecticut. The scope of the investigation was "to focus on corruption and the misuse of public funds in the government of the City of Hartford in its activities and dealings with persons or firms doing business with the city." On April 2, 2007, the Grand Juror applied and was granted a six-month extension which was scheduled to expire on November 6, 2008. On September 25, 2008, the Grand Juror applied and was granted another extension which expired on May 6, 2009. Pursuant to C.G.S. 54-47 g (a) the Grand Juror has sixty days from the conclusion of the investigation in which to file the final report. On January 13, 2009, the Grand Juror issued an Interim Report in which the undersigned found that probable cause that crimes had been committed existed with regard to certain individuals who either worked in city government or had dealings with officials in the city government of Hartford. For the purposes of this Final Report, all findings and recommendations made by the Grand Juror in the Interim Report are hereby incorporated in this Final Report and made a part hereof. In fulfilling its responsibilities, an Investigatory Grand Juror is limited by the statutes governing the role and function of an Investigatory Grand Jury, by the specific charge to the Grand Juror by the Investigatory Grand Jury Panel, and by the applicable Connecticut Criminal Statutes. The function of the Investigatory Grand Juror in this matter is set forth in and is limited by the charge of the Investigatory
Grand Jury Panel. The Grand Juror's function in the investigation is to determine, on the basis of the evidence presented to it, whether there is probable cause to believe that any crime has been committed in connection with the government of the City of Hartford in its activities and dealings with persons or firms doing business with the city. Further, the Grand Juror was also instructed to focus on corruption and the misuse of public funds in the government of the City of Hartford. In conducting its inquiry as to whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime or crimes may have been committed, the Grand Juror was limited further by the terms and provisions of the potentially applicable Connecticut Criminal Statutes. In connection therewith, the undersigned Grand Juror directed the Office of the Chief State's Attorney to conduct an analysis of the Connecticut Criminal Statutes that may apply to any of the conduct disclosed as a result of the Grand Jury investigation. The analysis completed by the Office of the Chief State's Attorney disclosed seven potential statutes and five potential crimes that may bear upon the Grand Juror's investigation and ultimate determination as to whether there is probable cause to bring criminal charges. Those seven statutes and five potential crimes are:
(1) Fabricating Physical Evidence under C. G. S. 53a-155 (2) Criminal Attempt to Commit Larceny in the First Degree By Extortion under C. G. S. 53a-49/53a 122a(2) by 53a-119 (5)(h)
(3) Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree By Extortion under C. G. S. 53a-48/53a 122a(2) by 53a-119 (5)(h) (4) Larceny in the First Degree By Extortion under C. G. S.53a-8/53a 122a(2) by 53a-119(5)(h) (5) Fraudulent Voting under C. G. S. 9-360
In conducting its investigation in this matter, the undersigned Grand Juror scrutinized all of the conduct disclosed in the investigation to determine if any of the conduct so disclosed could form the basis of a finding of probable cause to believe that any one of the foregoing crimes had been committed. II. SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION The investigation is now completed. The investigation conducted by the Grand Jury extended for eighteen months. There were 32 sessions of the Grand Jury at which testimony was received from 150 witnesses. 316 items of documentary evidence were received and marked as exhibits. In conducting this investigation the Grand Juror has been ably assisted by both the Chief State's Attorney and Assistant State's Attorneys, Inspectors from the Office of the Chief State's Attorney, and a Detective from the Connecticut State Police. In addition to other
tasks they performed at the request of the Grand Juror, those Assistant State's Attorneys and Inspectors interviewed witnesses and potential witnesses and reviewed substantial pages of additional documentary evidence that were either voluntarily submitted to the Grand Jury or submitted in compliance with subpoenas issued by the Grand Jury. III. DISCUSSION *****END OF PORTION RELEASED*****
Hopefully the discussion portion will be unsealed and released to the public after tomorrow's hearing
posted by KEVIN BROOKMAN at 6:02 PM on Jul 28, 2009
"PORTIONS OF GRAND JURY REPORT RELEASED"
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