The arrest last week of now-former City Hall employee and current State Rep. Michael DiMassa (D-116), has shocked and saddened many both in the city and around the state. Called an “up and comer” by colleagues at the State Capitol, the arrest for alleged fraud was particularly hard to hear.
There is more information to be released as the investigation unfolds, and the possibility of more arrests made. In the indictment presented last week by the FBI, an unidentified informant was cited, and reports of a potential arrest of one or more others is expected.
Since the announcement of possible fraud was made by Mayor Nancy Rossi two weeks, ago, rumors had been swirling about DiMassa, 30, who has worked at City Hall since he was an intern, studying at Albertus Magnus College.
DiMassa ended his tenure at City Hall, resigning his position as executive assistant, splitting his time in two different departments.
His problems began last year, when the City Council designated him and another employee to help handle the federal funds the city was to get from Coronavirus Relief Funds. It is alleged he then used that role to form a business partnership, Compass Investment Group, LLC. He, and others, then submitted invoices to the account, totaling more than $600,000, for work that was not performed.
It is further spelled out in court records he made several withdrawals from the business account, which were then possibly used to gamble at Mohegan Sun. In his appearance before a federal magistrate last week, DiMassa was said to be in a gambling rehab program.
In a statement last week made just after the arrest, Rossi echoed sentiments heard in her initial social media announcement two weeks ago. She wants those charged to be prosecuted and jailed if found guilty.
““I want to commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on its speedy investigation and arrest of Rep. Michael A. DiMassa,” the statement read. If Rep. DiMassa broke the public’s trust and his oath to protect and serve his constituents and is found guilty of fraudulent activity, I am demanding that he and any other individual(s) involved be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If convicted, all individuals involved should go to jail.”
Rossi, who stated two weeks ago her review of the invoices led to the allegations of fraud, will keep city taxpayers informed should any other information she can publicize come forward.
“As I stated when I found and reported this probable fraudulent activity, I will update our residents when information becomes available and when its release will not compromise the ongoing investigation,” the statement read.
City Council Chairman Ron Quagliani (D-at-large) said in a statement this week the legislative body is waiting for more information and supports fiscal oversight measures.
“While these audits and investigations are ongoing, the Council supports additional emergency fiscal controls to ensure no other funds are being diverted,” he said. “Once the Council is presented with the findings of these audits they will be publicly reviewed, and the appropriate actions will be taken swiftly.”
This is not the first problem with the city’s use of the federal funds. Rossi herself has been criticized for improper use of the funds to pay overtime to salaried employees, using COVID-19 money. Former Democratic State Central Committee Chairman Edward Marcus made those allegations in a statement last week, challenging Rossi’s credulity in her video statement two weeks ago. Marcus filed a complaint about the use of the funds with the Attorney General’s office.
“West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi would like us to believe that she discovered the serious problems with her city’s unauthorized use of funds that were supposed to be allocated to the battle against COVID,” said Marcus in his statement. “The problem is, the tale spun by Rossi, defies credibility. Rossi has certainly known about this.”
Marcus said the complaint spells out the allegations, and the truth will come out during the investigation.
“It would be to Mayor Rossi’s advantage to not play games and simply tell the truth,” the statement read.