Kevin Rennie’s $2.6M CT DOT Contract and Approved Contractors

The high-profile federal bribery trial of former state school construction chief Konstantinos Diamantis is casting a long shadow over Connecticut’s contracting system. The case is putting a spotlight on questionable oversight, disputed interpretations of corruption laws, and some eyebrow-raising decisions by state agencies.

As testimony unfolds, it’s clear this isn’t just about one man’s alleged wrongdoing. There’s a broader web of influence, political pressure, and administrative loopholes stretching across multiple towns and projects in Connecticut.

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The Bribery Allegations Against Diamantis

Prosecutors kicked things off with what might be their most damaging evidence — a voicemail that allegedly demands a bribe. John Duffy, principal of Acranom Masonry, testified that both he and his business partner Salvatore Monarca pleaded guilty last year to bribing Diamantis.

Their admissions opened the door for a closer look at how state contracts got awarded and who benefited. It’s a messy story that’s still unfolding in court.

The Role of Acranom Masonry

Even after those felony convictions, Acranom stayed on the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) list of approved contractors for more than a year. DAS argued that a change in company ownership — Monarca’s son, Salvatore Monarca Jr., stepping in as president — exempted Acranom from state rules banning contracts to firms tied to convicted felons.

Political Pressure and Delayed Action

Critics say DAS’s ongoing approval of Acranom shows just how lax enforcement of corruption prevention statutes can be. Senate Republicans kept up the pressure, and DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman finally removed Acranom from the prequalified list on October 6, 2025.

By then, Acranom had already landed a $2.6 million Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) subcontract for work in Rocky Hill. The timing of that removal left plenty of people frustrated.

Contract Controversies Stretch Across Projects

The DOT project in Rocky Hill was managed by Newfield Construction, a Hartford-based company led by Brian Ouelette. In court, Ouelette said he’d previously clashed with Acranom over poor workmanship at Hartford’s Weaver High School.

During that earlier dispute, Diamantis allegedly stepped in to make sure Acranom not only got paid but also received more work, even with the quality issues. That’s the kind of intervention that’s raising eyebrows now.

DOT’s Defense and “Lowest Responsible Bidder” Rule

DOT officials insist they followed state bidding requirements when awarding the Rocky Hill subcontract to Acranom. They say Newfield had to hire the lowest responsible bidder from the DAS-approved list, regardless of past disputes or recent criminal convictions of company principals.

Impact on Connecticut Communities

This trial, and all the revelations coming with it, reach way beyond Hartford and Rocky Hill. Projects and policies tied to Diamantis’s tenure touch communities like New Haven, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Stamford, Norwich, Danbury, and New Britain.

Every city depends on transparent, accountable state contracting for public works and school construction. The integrity of that process matters, maybe now more than ever.

Governor Lamont’s Involvement

Governor Ned Lamont has been subpoenaed to testify in the Diamantis trial. His testimony could reveal what the administration knew — and when — about the state’s ongoing business with Acranom Masonry.

The trial threatens to expose deeper failures in Connecticut’s oversight mechanisms. There’s a chance it could spark legislative reforms targeting contract eligibility rules.

Broader Implications for State Contracting

People watching this scandal can’t help but ask: Is Connecticut’s government really enforcing laws designed to keep companies tied to criminal activity from winning big contracts? From the state’s largest cities to its smallest towns, this case is quickly becoming a test of the Lamont administration’s commitment to transparency.

Key Takeaways

As the trial rolls on, a few things really jump out:

Testimony and recorded calls directly tie Diamantis to the bribery charges.
Acranom Masonry stayed on the DAS-approved list, even though key people had felony convictions.
DAS only took Acranom off the list after a lot of political pressure piled up.
The DOT says it followed procurement rules when it awarded the Rocky Hill subcontract.
Governor Lamont’s subpoena shows just how serious these alleged oversight failures might be.
Folks in Hartford, Bridgeport, and all over Connecticut are watching to see if any real reforms come from this.

This Diamantis bribery trial is shaping up to be one of Connecticut’s biggest corruption cases in years. It’s not just about the charges—it might actually change how the state handles contracts for a long time.

Here is the source article for this story: Kevin Rennie: A sweet $2.6M CT contract and a list of approved contractors. A tangled web

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