The corruption saga swirling around former Connecticut deputy budget director Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis is about to take another sharp turn. His high-profile defense attorney wants out, just before a second federal trial kicks off.
This new case, tied to an alleged plot to derail a Medicaid fraud audit at a Bristol optometry practice, has people in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury, New Britain, Bristol, and Middletown watching closely. It’s one of the state’s biggest public corruption stories in years, and it just keeps getting messier.
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From School Construction Scandal to Medicaid Fraud Case
Diamantis is already a convicted felon. Last October, a federal jury found him guilty of nearly two dozen crimes linked to the state’s school construction and building program.
Prosecutors said he used his position to steer public contracts and pocket bribes. That eroded public trust from Hartford to Waterbury and plenty of places in between.
He hasn’t even been sentenced in that first case yet. Now, he’s facing another legal fight—this one focused on Medicaid, a Bristol eye clinic, and an alleged effort to shut down a government audit.
The Medicaid Audit at the Center of the Second Trial
The next trial centers on an audit of Family Eye Care, a Bristol optometry practice. Federal prosecutors claim the clinic was under a serious Medicaid fraud inquiry when Diamantis allegedly stepped in to help make it disappear.
They say he took substantial bribes and abused his influence at the state level. That’s a bold accusation, and it’s got people talking.
According to court filings, Diamantis pressured Connecticut Department of Social Services employees to accept a settlement that would end the audit. Prosecutors argue this intervention cost taxpayers dearly and damaged the integrity of state oversight.
Alleged Bribes, Political Connections, and Quiet Deals
Prosecutors describe the money trail in this case as blatant and brazen. It weaves through political connections that folks in New Britain, Middletown, and Stamford will recognize.
$95,000 in Bribes and a Dropped Audit
Federal authorities allege Diamantis took $95,000 in bribes, funneled to him by former state legislator Christopher Ziogas. The goal? Kill the Medicaid audit into Family Eye Care.
After what prosecutors call pressure on Department of Social Services staff, the state agreed to a $599,810 settlement with Family Eye Care. Not long after, the audit that had raised concerns just vanished.
Guilty Pleas from Key Players
Several people close to Diamantis have already admitted guilt. Ziogas, who represented a Bristol-area district in the General Assembly, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion and bank fraud.
He’s agreed to help federal prosecutors and might testify against Diamantis. Ziogas faces a sentencing range of about 70 to 87 months in prison.
That’s a steep fall for someone known in New Britain and Bristol for his work with constituents. His cooperation shows just how serious the government’s case is.
Another central figure is Helen Zervas, Ziogas’ fiancé and the operator of Family Eye Care. Zervas has pleaded guilty to health care fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion.
She’s also awaiting sentencing, and federal officials say her role was crucial to the alleged Medicaid scheme.
A High-Profile Defense Attorney Moves to Exit
Diamantis’ defense team is in turmoil. His lawyer, Norm Pattis—one of Connecticut’s most recognizable and controversial defense attorneys, known from high-profile cases in Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport—has asked to withdraw from the second trial.
Pattis Cites Unpaid Legal Fees
In a recent filing, Pattis told the court that staying on the Medicaid case would cause him financial hardship. He says Diamantis hasn’t paid outstanding legal fees from the first corruption trial, making it impossible for him to continue.
Now, U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill has to decide whether to let Pattis step aside so close to trial. If the judge allows it, Diamantis’ defense could face a scramble or a delay, just as federal prosecutors are gearing up to present a complicated case involving state agencies, health care payments, and alleged backroom deals.
What Comes Next for Diamantis
Diamantis has turned down plea offers in both the school construction and Medicaid cases. That move leaves him open to long prison sentences.
Federal prosecutors warn he could get 10 years or more for each conviction. It’s a staggering thought for a former state official who once helped shape big budget and infrastructure decisions from Hartford to Waterbury.
Jury selection in the Medicaid fraud-related trial is set for late January in federal court. Judge Underhill’s decision about Pattis’ withdrawal might shake up that schedule.
People all over Connecticut—especially in cities like Bridgeport, Stamford, and New Haven—are paying attention. Is this just another courtroom spectacle, or will it show how seriously the state takes corruption at the top?
Here is the source article for this story: Defense lawyer for convicted ex-CT official wants out of second trial. Here’s why.
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