Federal prosecutors in Connecticut have wrapped up their witness list for one of the state’s most high-profile corruption cases in years. The upcoming trial of former Deputy Budget Director Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis centers on allegations of extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and fraud tied to public school construction projects across Connecticut.
More than 40 potential witnesses are lined up. Political insiders, municipal leaders, and construction executives are all set to testify, hinting at deep ties between government operations and the building industry from Hartford to Bridgeport.
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The Charges Against Kosta Diamantis
Diamantis was indicted in early 2024 on 22 federal counts. Prosecutors say he abused his position to steer school construction contracts toward favored companies.
They also allege that Diamantis received improper personal benefits, including a job for his daughter, Anastasia Diamantis, in exchange for contracts.
Acranom Masonry and Construction Advocacy Professionals are at the center of the charges. Executives like Salvatore Monarca, John Duffy, and Antonietta Roy have already pleaded guilty and are helping authorities.
Roy allegedly hired Diamantis’ daughter as part of the scheme. That detail stands out in court filings.
School Construction Program Under Scrutiny
The controversy focuses on the state’s Office of School Construction Grants and Review. That office moved under former budget chief Melissa McCaw’s oversight before she resigned in 2022.
Prosecutors didn’t include McCaw as a witness, which has sparked plenty of speculation among political watchers in New Haven, Waterbury, and beyond. The office managed hundreds of millions in projects for cities like Stamford, Norwalk, and New Britain.
The Witness List: Political and Industry Heavyweights
The witness list reads like a roll call of Connecticut’s political, municipal, and construction elite. Federal filings show it includes former state officials, engineers, and leaders from major building firms in the region.
- Former Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Josh Geballe
- Executives from Arcadis, O&G Industries, Downes Construction, Newfield Construction, Construction Solutions Group, and D’Amato Construction
- Hartford’s former city engineer Frank Dellaripa
- Tolland Superintendent Walter Willett
They’re expected to discuss their interactions with Diamantis and how contracts got awarded. Some will likely talk about the alleged pressure to hire certain contractors.
Defense Strategy and High-Profile Witnesses
Veteran attorney Norm Pattis represents Diamantis and has signaled he’ll mount an aggressive defense. Pattis plans to call well-known Connecticut figures like former State Police Colonel Stavros Mellekas, ex-Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and former Hartford School Superintendent Leslie Torres-Rodríguez.
They may testify to back the idea that Diamantis acted legally, and that political motivations are driving the indictment. Pattis has even asked the court for permission to question potential jurors about their views on Governor Ned Lamont.
He argues that jurors’ feelings about the governor could sway opinions in what he calls a “politically charged” trial. That’s not something you see every day in federal court.
A Statewide Impact
The trial’s happening in federal court, but its effects reach far beyond Hartford. From New London and Bridgeport to Bristol and Middletown, local leaders are watching the case unfold.
The state’s school construction grants program touches nearly every district. The allegations hint that favoritism, political ties, and personal gain may have influenced millions in taxpayer spending.
Why This Matters to Connecticut Residents
This case isn’t just another political scandal. It really hits at the core of government transparency and public trust.
If the allegations hold up, they show just how fragile the state’s process for awarding and supervising big contracts can be. Folks in towns like Torrington, Enfield, and Danbury might see the way future infrastructure projects are handled change because of all this.
With the October 6 trial coming up, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and witnesses are gearing up for a tough fight in court. Everyone’s watching, and it’s bound to get heated.
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Here is the source article for this story: Kosta Diamantis trial witness list includes many former CT officials
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