Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Wednesday that he’s looking into whether to investigate civil or criminal questions about the role of a New Haven marshal in collecting taxes.
Blumenthal made the comment in a release issued one day after the Independent reported on a New Haven government audit about the activities of politically connected marshal Peter Criscuolo. Auditors reported eight examples of Criscuolo allegedly collecting excessive fees based on “coercion,” an erroneous tax warrant, or misrepresented facts. Criscuolo managed to “coerce” a $5,000 delinquent tax fee from one business that had already paid up — and “misrepresented” facts in order to collect a $2,000 fee on a $133 tax bill, according to the audit. The administration of Mayor John DeStefano reformed its marshal policy in the wake of the audit, but spent close to a year trying to keep its findings private. And it has resumed working with Criscuolo, a mayoral fundraiser (who did not respond to requests for comment on the audit).
“These reports of alleged abuses, if true, are deeply disturbing and call for investigation,” Blumenthal stated in the release. “Within the past few days, my office has received complaints on this issue. We are consulting with other civil and criminal authorities.”
Melissa Bailey File Photo
It’s unclear whether Blumenthal will in fact launch an investigation. The question has political implications: Blumenthal, a Democrat, is running for U.S. Senate. Criscuolo (pictured) is Democratic town chairman of North Haven and a veteran campaign fundraiser.