Feds Subpoena City Hall Records

by Paul Bass | Jun 25, 2019 4:09 pm

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Posted to: City Hall, Legal Writes

The Harp administration has received a wide-ranging subpoena to produce records for a federal investigation. City Corporation Counsel John Rose Jr. confirmed the subpoena during an interview Tuesday in his fourth-floor City Hall office. He said a federal marshal delivered the subpoena to his office two and a half weeks ago, and he is in the process of producing the requested paperwork. “I am compiling paperwork pursuant to a subpoena for delivery to an FBI agent,” Rose said. “This subpoena was directed to me” and was “wide-ranging” involving numerous city accounts, he said. “It is directed to me. It was not directed to the city or any department head or any other person.” Rose declined to discuss the specifics of the request. Mayor Toni Harp said she doesn’t know what the feds are looking for. “We don’t think that there’s a problem. To me, they’re just requesting information,” Harp told the Independent. “I don’t think there are any city employees that are implicated. We will provide the information. We don’t know why they want it. We will fully comply and work with them and try to figure out what they’re after.” A third person familiar with the contents of the subpoena, who requested anonymity, said it has three foci: The never-completed “Escape” youth center and homeless shelter the Harp administration planned to build at the Community Outreach Center building next to Bethel AME Church; the city’s handling of a federal “Byrne” grant to address violence in Newhallville; and a proposal to create an all-boys charter school. The Harp administration spent over $250,000 building out the space for the Escape. But because of unforeseen problems with the roof, another estimated $50,000 of electrical work needs to be done. The Harp Adminstration did not ask for more money from the Board of Alders in its new fiscal year budget to complete the job. There was also behind-the-scenes tension in City Hall over $60,000 that went toward renovating the Dixwell-Newhallville senior center in that space. The money for the work was originally paid out of the account for the Escape project, and officials clashed over whether it would be reimbursed out of the elderly services department. The feds are also looking at the relationship between one of the subcontractors and city Youth Services Director Jason Bartlett, according to the person familiar with the subpoena’s contents. Bartlett had previously been in business with the contractor back in 2004. Part of the money the subcontractor received resulted from a competitive request for proposals process; some fell below the threshold needed to go to competitive bidding. They included demolition and work with teens on the project. A subcontractor hired to work on the proposal for an all-boys locally administered charter school — a proposal pushed by the Rev. Boise Kimber and endorsed by Mayor Toni Harp — ended up getting paid around $2,500 more than a year after he completed some of the work. The check was originally delayed as the school board voted down the school project and former Superintendent Garth Harries (who also supported the plan) was pushed out of office. The subcontractor ended up getting paid out of the youth services budget. Jason Bartlett, who also serves as chair of the mayor’s reelection campaign, said in a conversation Tuesday that he has not been contacted by the FBI in connection with any of these issues. “I never imagined myself in this position,” he said of the federal investigation. “I’ve been in public service. I understand that people are concerned and always want to know what you’re doing with the public’s money. I have nothing to hide. I am proud of what we’ve done as a department. At the end of the day, I’ll be totally exonerated.” The Board of Alders ordered an independent audit of the Youth Services Bureau last December in response to this article by New Haven Independent reporter Christopher Peak raising questions about some of the Byrne Grant spending.

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posted by: challenge on June 25, 2019 4:32pm Harp for mayor. The city needs more of this type of leadership.

posted by: alex on June 25, 2019 4:36pm Let’s not prejudge the mayor or her administration.

posted by: Patricia Kane on June 25, 2019 5:01pm Unlike State investigations, Federal ones are considered more thorough and reliable and more likely to result in indictments.

The bad news for this administration just doesn’t end.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on June 25, 2019 5:12pm posted by: alex on June 25, 2019 4:36pm

Let’s not prejudge the mayor or her administration. Are you kidding.Just look at the Number of lawsuits under her watch.This administration is lookmore when Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was in Office.And we know what happen to Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.Let me say this as I shop in the edge of the woods and speak to people.They told me they are not voting for Mayor Harp again.As I walk the streets of the Hoods and El Barrios.The Latino Brothers and Sisters And Black brothers and Sisters tell me Hell No I am not feeling Her.If this FBI report comes out before the election and some people who work at city hall will be walked out in hand cuff.Then I will say that the Boxing Gloves that mayor Harp got

yesterday at city she better use them in her new line of work because she will not be reelected.

My bad.I think these people can help the FBI. Adam 12 https://youtu.be/K3tfUFFhIU8 The Man From U.N.C.L.E https://youtu.be/PZuErXLfQlM Kojak: https://youtu.be/P_e6_j5YSeE Rockford Files https://youtu.be/d41cAOmcuxk Cannon https://youtu.be/cRo7PiltLUI

posted by: challenge on June 25, 2019 5:13pm “prejudge”? Are you serious? Have you not been paying attention to all the scandals that have rocked this administration from year 2? Have you not heard all the empty promises made by the mayor over the past almost 6 years? Where IS the Q House, homeless shelter and youth center promised years ago? What about poor choices made relative to superintendents of schools and police chiefs? What about all the money paid out in lawsuits due to failure to manage her police department? Did you not hear about the credit card scam/theft and big raises to herself and Bartlett during budget crisis? This is not judgment day. This fed “inquiry” is more like the chickens coming home to roost. Did you note Corporate Counsel’s falsehood stating the subpoena was not directed at the city or any city employee. I guess that means Bartlett is not a city employee. As always, Harp has no idea what is going on yet claims the city will be exonerated in the end.

posted by: Noteworthy on June 25, 2019 5:14pm Wow Notes: 1. How can one be proud of the work they’ve done when it results in secret salary increases without BOA approval? 2. Or wasting $250K of taxpayer money and have nothing to show for it? 3. Or taking again, unauthorized money from one program to do work on another? 4. Good lord, man - you’re proud of all this? Really.

posted by: Elmer's Glue on June 25, 2019 5:19pm Harp would have been cruising to reelection right now if only she had never heard the name ‘Boise Kimber’.

posted by: Ulmus Civitas on June 25, 2019 5:19pm Thanks to the FBI for looking into the absolutely corrupt Harp administration. This is the end of the road for them. Time to start new!

posted by: wendy1 on June 25, 2019 5:21pm This Thurs. June 27 at 6PM, debate/ forum with 3 Dem candidates who will FOCUS on the BUDGET and city spending at the Ives city LIBRARY on Elm (main library) in the basement. JUstin, Pendragon, and me. Come hear our ideas and solutions to this mess.

posted by: wendy1 on June 25, 2019 5:24pm I hope this puts a stop on selling muni bonds which add to our huge debt.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on June 25, 2019 5:26pm The feds are also looking at the relationship between one of the subcontractors and city Youth Services Director Jason Bartlett, according to the person familiar with the subpoena’s contents. Bartlett had previously been in business with the contractor back in 2004. Part of the money the subcontractor received resulted from a competitive request for proposals process; some fell below the threshold needed to go to competitive bidding. They included demolition and work with teens on the project.

Tavares - Whodunit https://youtu.be/BhwmtksGmpQ

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on June 25, 2019 5:28pm Wealth is not the fruit of labor but the result of organized protected robbery. Frantz Fanon

posted by: 1644 on June 25, 2019 5:44pm 3/5’s: You left out the best detective ever, John Shaft!

If James Bond were real, he’d think he was John Shaft.

posted by: FED UP! on June 25, 2019 5:54pm In this article why does Rose consistently repeat that the subpoena pertains to him? Rose is trying to redirect the energy of the FEDS solely to him. Rose is protecting someone or many. Harp needs to stop hiring her sorority sisters and relatives!!! And furthermore what the hell is the relationship between Kimber and Harp? Disinfect city hall and bring in all brand new people. Look at all the salaries being paid out and all those astronomical raises Harp handed out. Reevaluate city salaries and get this city out of the RED!!!

posted by: FED UP! on June 25, 2019 6:01pm HARP GRANTS 37 raises last June 2018 after increasing property taxes 11%

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/37_raises/

posted by: Game of Groans on June 25, 2019 6:16pm This is what happens when you rely on convicted felons to bring in the votes, returning the favor by allowing them to pull the strings from behind the scenes.

posted by: fastdriver on June 25, 2019 7:16pm As ALWAYS, she has NO CLUE what they’re looking for! If they were just looking for information would they need a subpoena? Couldn’t they just get information through the freedom of information act? I hope they dig real deep and after they’re done with City Hall move onto the Board of Education!

posted by: newhavenlives on June 25, 2019 7:19pm Some of you are downright gleeful I am afraid you will be just as let down as when the Muller report was published. Harp should call Jefferson’s and DeStefano’s lawyers. Didn’t they fend off fbi investigations. NHI can you please post a copy of the subpoena here? The pundits are salivating. [Paul: they did not release a copy of the subpoena.]

posted by: Dennis Serf on June 25, 2019 7:49pm Wendy.. Thank you. Mr. Serh Polle will be participating as well. We will publish the questions by tmrw morning. See below for details regarding the event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/347098422640075/

Dennis Serfilippi

posted by: Bluegirl on June 25, 2019 7:53pm Mayor Harp, it is over. Walk away gracefully and leave the work to people who really care about this city.

posted by: 1644 on June 25, 2019 8:10pm Did Liam Brennan have a heads-up on this investigation, causing him to steer clear of Harp?

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on June 25, 2019 8:57pm @newhavenlives

For your information, the Mueller Report did not exonerate Donald Trump of obstruction of justice or other offenses.

You might want to use another analogy.

It is always good to be aware of the character of those with whom you surround yourself because evil communications can corrupt good manners. This is not meant to imply that the Mayor is corrupt, but if some of the people close to her are corrupted, some of their dirt will rub off on her and her administration, and she will literally be left holding the bag.

No moral person is gleeful about the troubles of anyone, including the Mayor. It is a sad situation here, but if there are genuine offenses committed in City Hall the guilty parties must be confronted, prosecuted and removed from their positions.

Let the FBI do their work, let the evidence be presented, and let the chips fall where they may.

posted by: Outside looking in on June 25, 2019 11:45pm @Newhavenlives

Nichole Jefferson used regular union representation with tons of evidence the city was unable to shred, that’s how she was exhonorated. The

difference between the two is… evidence is going to bury this administration. And when you mention Destefano are you waiting for the Hilary chant “lock him up ” are you taking Trump notes? I say it’s a distraction.The Harp administration along with money hungry reverends has corrupted our city. so I say “IT’S JUSTIN TIME ELICKER! ”

posted by: Noteworthy on June 26, 2019 3:02am Worth Noting Notes: With all due respect, the deer in the headlights look, the “I don’t know” yadda yadda yadda has been used so many times over so many years by Mayor Harp and Senator Harp that it is not much of shield anymore.

posted by: Conscience on June 26, 2019 7:23am The Mayor says they were only asking for information. Who is asking and what are the questions offers a clue to the seriousness of this inquiry. Mr. Bartlett saying that he will be exonerated causes me to question the spin that no department head was cited in the subpoena. Attorney Rose appears to be deflecting when he says that the request came to him. One would think that his office would be the place where a subpoena would go. This also explains the presence of certain ministers, and school system employees who double as ministers, at press conferences trying to keep certain leaders on the throne. A plausible explanation would be that there are those among the group led by the usual suspect may be suspects themselves. I pray that there will be an investigation of how ALL public funds are expensed in ALL the city’s public agencies including the school district.

posted by: westville man on June 26, 2019 8:41am The investigation won’t be difficult- they will just follow the money. That’s what it’s always about.

posted by: concerned_neighbor on June 26, 2019 8:58am You all know that Federal Prosecutors often claim a 95% or better conviction rate. That is because they have unimaginable prosecutorial discretion coupled with the unbridled resources of the federal government. They pick cases that they will win. Of course we must respect the presumption of innocence and I don’t wish a criminal prosecution upon anyone, I’m gratified that the cleansing spotlight of a federal subpoena may expose municipal corruption.

posted by: newhavenlives on June 26, 2019 9:31am TAPaine You are working too hard in the comment sections. Who said the Muller report exonerated Trump?It was a major undertaking that still has not yielded Democrats much, emotionally or practically AND, unlike Mayor Harp, Trump is actually corrupt. Mayor Harp should have dumped Bartlett a long time ago. Maybe this is the extreme push she needed. Outside Looking In

You call it exonerated. I call it lucky. The lady’s actions were found to be egregious, but not incorrigible enough to be fired. Actual quote below. I wonder if you’ll be just as satisfied if Bartlett is “exonerated” on such a standard! “While the court finds that there was actual harm sufficient to consider the behavior at issue egregious, it finds insufficient support for the argument that Ms. Jefferson would not respond appropriately to progressive workplace discipline, and as a result, it can not find her ‘incorrigible,’” one of four factors he had to consider. “Based on the foregoing, the court finds that the violation of public policy at issue in this case does not mandate termination and the defendant’s application to confirm the arbitration award is granted,” NH register

posted by: Urn Pendragon on June 26, 2019 9:39am Sadly, I’ve known about the FBI investigation since Feb. I couldn’t say anything about it because of confidentiality. This was another reason, among many, why I decided to run. This report is just the tip of the iceberg that reveals insider deals of money getting paid out due to alliances to the mayor. Take care & be well,

Urn Pendragon

posted by: HewNaven on June 26, 2019 10:25am That settles it! I’m voting for Windy Pentagon!!

posted by: DrJay on June 26, 2019 10:28am Why did it take 2 1/2 weeks for the public to learn that our city was served with an FBI subpoena? Citizens should have been notified by the mayor’s spokesperson as soon as possible. We have a right to know when and why our government is being investigated. Transparency is necessary for good government. This administration has repeatedly failed in its responsibility to keep the public informed.

posted by: SRHS on June 26, 2019 10:53am A federal subpoena is never good. I am not comforted by the Mayor’s comments “We don’t think that there’s a problem. To me, they’re just requesting information,” Harp told the Independent.”

It makes her sound like she has no idea what is going on. Not too confident.

posted by: Eric B. Smith on June 26, 2019 12:12pm Why would someone say, “I’ll be totally exonerated,” when they haven’t been accused of anything?

posted by: darnell on June 26, 2019 12:33pm “Sadly, I’ve known about the FBI investigation since Feb. I couldn’t say anything about it because of confidentiality.” - Urn Pendragon Wait, What?! Seriously, because of confidentiality? LMAO. Pleaassse!

posted by: 1644 on June 26, 2019 12:38pm The federal government has had some high profile loses in corruption cases recently, e.g., the US Supreme Court overturning the Bob McDonnell, and NJ Senator Bob Menendez’s mistrial. The defenses in those cases were that quid pro quo transactions were just politics, not crimes. It will be interesting to see how this case differs.

posted by: Patricia Kane on June 26, 2019 1:00pm @Eric Smith: the statement is usually “I am not a crook”.

posted by: Patricia Kane on June 26, 2019 1:59pm @1644: yes those cases were shocking decisions. It reminds me of when rape trials required a witness to refute the defense of consent or that the survivor be a virgin! Yes, NY law said that the testimony of a a woman who was not a virgin was less reliable up to 1974 when it was finally changed.

These bad decisions have raised the bar to require proof of people on tape or in a video discussing a quid pro quo. Really?

The judiciary has made the world safe for “lap dances” and now sleazy politicians.

Our judges are largely well connected and well off, which is how they get nominated.

Their failure to follow the laws re: selling influence have established a new low and incentive for corruption.

posted by: Outside looking in on June 26, 2019 6:01pm newhavenlives Ms. Jefferson should have never been slandered and fired! Consequently, the city is now paying for two Commission Executive Director positions with 4 years of awarded back pay and benefits and possible lawsuit damages. I believe you are missing the point; The reported FOI, emails, Corporation Counsel John Rose (the same Corporation Counsel from Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez corruption scandal) referred to the Commission on Equal Opportunities staff as “ZOO animals” then reference the Mayor’s order to “Fire Nicole Jefferson and all those people peopling that office of CEO”. This employment matter should have never been heard through a court system. The city had contractually agreed to hear all union matters and committed to the ruling decided by state arbitrators. When the FBI comes to your door with a search seizure with 6 branches of law enforcement, with 4 years of testimony, and 2 court proceedings, numerous administrative proceedings, over 6 law firms and 10 lawyers, and over 2 million in the city of new haven taxpayer dollars, “egregious” is egregious. I noticed you haven’t included the State ruled it as a “witch hunt”. Jason Bartlett, if questioned, will have to answer for unauthorized grants, alleged credit card misuse, unprocured contracts, and funds misused from other budgets to complete his building fund for Escape Youth Center. This bogus personnel issue with Ms. Jefferson could have saved the taxpayers. This could have been handled like Harp ordered with disciplinary matters of Matt Nemerson. Newhavenlives, you got one thing right, she is a lady! I believe Ms. Jefferson was not lucky. 1 decision is Luck, 6 decisions is a Majority nevertheless the ruling stands. The real word here is Irony, the grave the Harp administration dug for Ms. Jefferson is the hole they are slipping in now.

posted by: ctddw on June 26, 2019 7:57pm Mario Boone from WTNH reported on this awhile ago and Harp would not confirm. Harp may not have been able to acknowledge it depending on the circumstances but that doesn’t mean she isn’t aware of the shenanigans happening on her watch. Also, don’t forget the hush money paid to Will Clark does not prohibit his cooperation from federal investigations. This administration has done so many underhanded things including calling the media when they want to embarrass employees and force them to resign. Hopefully they end up reaping what they have sown. Drain the swamp!

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on June 26, 2019 9:16pm @ Outside looking in on June 26, 2019 6:01pm You took the words out of my mouth.Home Run!!! I told you all back in 2013 this was going to happen posted by: THREEFIFTHS on September 12, 2013 6:16pm If you all want to know the real deal on the city of New haven.Get this Book.I read it years ago.In fact one of the Journalist the late Jack Newfield was a good friend of mine. City for Sale: Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York In “City for Sale,” two of the country’s most respencted investigatine journalisrts Jack Newfield and Wayne Barrett will take you back, towing you through the Parking Violations Bureau scandal recount the incredible story of the descent of the Koch administration into criminality. In their compelling account of payoffs and threats, of secret deals made by the overlords of the all-powerful clubhouses, Newfield and Barrett expose the behind-the-scenes story of the true workings of municipal power in America today.

And if you think this is not happing in New haven. I leave you with this.

Today’s reformer is tomorrow’s hack

Brooklyn boss Meade Esposito. In fact.The Federal trial had been moved to New Haven to avoid the possible of their clients in Connecticut would help them more than a New York City https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/26/world/friedman-is-guilty-with-3-in-scandal.html And then Ed Koch was not reelected.

posted by: CityYankee on June 27, 2019 7:57am Can someone please ask the FBI to do a forensic audit on the City of New Haven’s and the Board of Education books; while they’re in the neighborhood????