![]() ![]() Last month, the state released copies of a federal grand jury’s requests for records related to Diamantis’ handling of construction work. In reports that have emerged since his retirement, union officials and at least one contractor complained to members of Lamont’s administration as early as 2020 that Diamantis was using his authority to steer local construction projects to a select group of contractors.ĭiamantis has denied any wrongdoing, saying his critics misinterpreted his approach to getting projects completed quickly and without cost overruns by utilizing preapproved state contracts with firms to conduct hazardous materials abatement and demolition work. At that time, Diamantis’ school construction work was transferred from the Department of Administrative Services to his new offices at OPM, under the oversight of Secretary Melissa McCaw.ĭiamantis oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars of grants issued each year through the school construction office - and apparently butted heads with a few contractors, union leaders and school officials toward the end of his tenure. Ned Lamont was elected a few years later. Dannel Malloy’s administration in 2015, before taking on the additional role as deputy secretary of the Office of Policy and Management after Gov. The man at the center of the scandal is a 65-year-old former state lawmaker from Bristol who was in charge of the Office of School Construction Grants and Review from 2015 until he abruptly retired in October while facing a suspension for unspecified misconduct.ĭiamantis - who is known by his nickname “Kosta” - was initially hired to oversee the school construction program as a member of former Gov. Here are five key people involved: Konstantinos 'Kosta' Diamantis Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 28, 2020, for an interview with Hearst Media CT at his office in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Richard Colangelo, who was appointed last month as the new Connecticut Chief State Attorney, is photographed on Feb. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 4 of5 Ned Lamont addresses the combined House and Senate during the opening day of the 2022 legislative session at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn. Jessica Hill / Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of5 ![]() Ned Lamont's budget plan at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, Feb. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of5Ĭonnecticut secretary of the Office of Policy and Management Melissa McCaw discusses points in Gov. Kosta Diamantis, director of Connecticut’s Office of School Construction Grants and Review, speaks at a news conference to announce plans to build a new Norwalk High School, at Norwalk High School, in Norwalk, Conn. ![]()
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