Latest news with #ConnecticutGeneralAssembly
American Military News
4 days ago
- Politics
- American Military News
Democrat lawmaker arrested for shoplifting again
A Democrat lawmaker recently turned himself in after being caught shoplifting for a second time at a Target store in Bethel, Connecticut. The New York Post reported that Connecticut state Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, a Democrat, is currently facing charges after turning himself in to police officials on July 28. The outlet noted that an arrest warrant for the 33-year-old Democrat lawmaker had been issued following the second shoplifting incident. In an arrest affidavit obtained by The New York Post, a Target security guard said they observed Allie-Brennan 'concealing items into the Goodfellow bag that he had selected.' The affidavit accused the Democrat lawmaker of attempting to steal $54.55 in unpaid goods. Allie-Brennan was previously arrested in June after police officials reviewed security footage that showed the Connecticut lawmaker trying to leave the Bethel Target location with $26.69 in unpaid items. The Democrat lawmaker admitted to the June incident; however, he blamed the shoplifting incident on being in a 'rush' to bring items to his hospitalized grandmother. In a July statement on Facebook, Allie-Brennan said, 'This week, I appeared in court and applied for Accelerated Rehabilitation, a program for first-time offenders that, if granted, can lead to dismissal of the charge after meeting court conditions. 'I am taking responsibility for all of my actions and participating in a program to address my behavior seriously and constructively,' the Democrat lawmaker added. 'I know I've let people down, and I'm not proud of that. But I also believe in owning mistakes and doing the work to make them right. I remain committed to accountability, growth, and continuing to serve my community with integrity.' According to The New York Post, Allie-Brennan told the outlet that both shoplifting charges are being addressed under the Accelerated Rehabilitation program. READ MORE: Pic: Democrat lawmaker arrested for shoplifting 'Recently, State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-2nd District – Bethel) was arrested for shoplifting at a local Target store,' Connecticut Republican State Chairman Ben Proto said in a recent press release. 'While we fully support Representative Allie-Brennan's due process and the presumption of innocence that all of us enjoy under our Constitutions, it is regrettable that, once again, a Democrat member of the Connecticut General Assembly has found themselves in handcuffs and subject to criminal prosecution.' Proto added, 'In light of these allegations, Representative Allie-Brennan should step down from his position.' Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter, a Democrat, also issued a statement regarding the Connecticut lawmaker's legal issues. Ritter explained that he had talked with Allie-Brennan about the shoplifting charges and expressed his concerns to the Democrat lawmaker. 'Raghib will take some personal time away from the legislature over the next month to deal with the legal, political and personal ramifications,' Ritter stated.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Connecticut's Ban Throws Water on 2025 Trend of States Setting Up Crypto Investments
Going against the recent trend of state governments in the U.S. pursuing cryptocurrency investments, the Connecticut General Assembly has thrown down a ban against that New England state following suit, even as others pursue digital assets reserves in their fiscal strategies. According to unanimous decisions in both its House and Senate, Connecticut passed a bill this week that blocks any part of the state's government from an ability to "purchase, hold, invest in or establish a reserve of virtual currency," and it also prohibits accepting crypto payments. This runs counter to efforts in states such as New Hampshire and Texas, which are moving toward establishing reserves that echo the intent of President Donald Trump's administration at the federal level. The lawmakers in Connecticut, which ranks in the middle of the pack among state economies, also tightened rules for crypto firms working under the state's money-transmitter license. After Trump issued an order to his administration in March to establish a reserve of bitcoin BTC, a long list of states jumped toward similar actions, though many of them were stymied by opposition or expiring legislative windows. New Hampshire was the first to cross the finish line. Texas has a similar bill awaiting a signature from Governor Greg Abbott, and Arizona also approved a more modest approach to setting aside unclaimed digital assets in a reserve. "As legislative sessions wrap up across the country, we're proud of the incredible momentum behind pro-Bitcoin and digital asset legislation," said Dennis Porter, the founder of the Satoshi Action Fund that's been advocating for state lawmakers to establish reserves. "Unfortunately, Connecticut has chosen to reject this opportunity—for now. But we remain optimistic. As more states embrace Bitcoin and see the benefits firsthand, we're confident Connecticut will follow suit." Porter said North Carolina and Ohio are both still a possibility for reserves this year. The federal government hasn't yet moved assets into a reserve. The relevant agencies, led by the Department of the Treasury, have been seeking to account for all of the digital assets held in various corners of the public sector. Once complete, Trump had directed all existing crypto be set aside as a long-term investment but that no taxpayer money be spent to acquire anything more than the government has seized in civil and criminal matters. Bo Hines, one of Trump's top crypto advisers, said at Consensus 2025 in Toronto that there are a lot of ideas on the table for acquiring more bitcoin in budget-neutral ways. In other state crypto legislative matters, California's lawmakers have been working on legislation that could allow digital assets payments in a state pilot program. The bill passed unanimously in its House and was forwarded to the Senate last week.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Connecticut officials push for legislation surrounding street takeovers
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Local and state leaders are pushing for change concerning dangerous street takeovers after police say they've been on the rise in recent years. Police say these street takeovers threaten the safety and well-being of residents, bystanders, motorists, and property. That's why the police academy will push for the passage of new legislation on Tuesday morning. Street takeover shut down Berlin Turnpike New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson will be joined by Mayor Justin Elicker, Attorney General Tong, and other municipal and state leaders at 9:30 a.m. to discuss street takeovers, the illegal use of dirt bikes, ATVs, and reckless driving. The Connecticut General Assembly is considering several bills to address the issue. If passed, these bills would enable cities, towns and the state to impose new and stiffer penalties on those participating in, organizing, or even watching a street takeover. The penalties could include: fines up to $2,000, a driver's license suspension and impounded vehicles. News 8 is told this push for change is in addition to several other measures, including the creation of a Joint Regional Dirt Bike and ATV Task Force. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lamont to discuss affordable preschool access in Connecticut
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — Gov. Ned Lamont will discuss his plan for the largest expansion of preschool access in Connecticut's history. The plan now requires approval by the Connecticut General Assembly. If put into motion, this plan could allow the state to create thousands of new preschool spaces across Connecticut. Lamont says the goal is to expand affordable preschool options by making it free or low-cost for all working families. Lamont approves $3 million in funding for nonprofits Lamont wants to pay for the program through a dedicated preschool fund. The governor has said he plans to take three hundred million dollars of cash from last year's budget surplus to start and then draw on future surpluses to keep it funded. Lamont and his top early childhood official say their proposal wouldn't just make preschool free for many families but also easier to access. Some childcare advocates have questioned whether or not the governor's proposal goes far enough, urging him to make the plan more 'Wholistic' and to consider that childcare goes beyond pre-school. Some Republicans have questioned how the governor plans to pay for this plan. They say this could exhaust surpluses that could otherwise be used to pay down pension though, defended his plan. 'While the governor has this endowment plan, I think we need to do something more within the confines of the budget,' State Rep. Vincent Candelora said. 'This three hundred million would not necessarily have to go to pay down pensions – although we're going to be paying down over a billion dollars in pension liability this year – but could go to start rebuilding this fund on a long-term basis. I think we got the balance right,' Gov. Ned Lamont said. The governor's plan still needs to win the approval of the legislature. He is set to speak on this at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday morning in New Britain. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conn. GOP leaders call on DOJ to probe election fraud allegations after 5 charged in connection to Bridgeport mayor race
Connecticut GOP leaders called on the US Department of Justice Friday to launch a probe into allegations of election fraud in Bridgeport after eyebrow-raising comments by one of the accused spurred concerns about systemic scandal in the state. Connecticut General Assembly Republicans sent a letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi after Bridgeport City Council Member Alfredo Castillo claimed he was only 'following orders' from Democratic leaders to get out the vote as he denied wrongdoing in connection to allegations of fraud in the city's 2023 mayoral race. 'I'm innocent,' Castillo told Only in Bridgeport after his Feb. 21 arrest. 'I'm following the orders of the Democratic Party. This is what they tell us to do, get out the vote. Then we get criminalized.' Days after those comments Connecticut Republicans like State Rep. Vincent Candelora wrote and sent a letter to the DOJ requesting an investigation. 'Councilman Castillo's own words suggest a broader operation at play, involving efforts to benefit high-profile Democratic candidates at the state and federal levels,' Candelora said of the investigation during a press conference Friday. 'We cannot ignore the possibility that these corrupt practices extend beyond Bridgeport.' Castillo was among five local political operatives criminally charged for allegedly mishandling absentee ballots in the 2023 Bridgeport Democratic primary between Mayor Joe Ganim and challenger John Gomes. Ganim was declared winner when absentee ballots rolled in after Gomes won the most votes at the polls, the Chief State Attorney's Office said this month when announcing criminal action. A judge ordered a new election after Gomes claimed voter fraud, though Ganim again emerged victorious. Castillo, 53; Maria Pereira, 57; and Jazmarie Melendez, 26, are the trio of city council members facing charges while the city's Democratic Town Committee vice-chair Wanda Geter-Ptaki, 68, is facing 92 charges including conspiracy to take possession of multiple absentee ballots, chief state attorney officials said. Margaret Joyce, 45, who was allegedly part of the absentee ballot scheme, was also charged. The allegations carried out include instructing absentee voters who they should cast their ballots for, altering ballots, filling out and submitting other voters' ballots themselves and registering a non-citizen to vote. Castillo in his interview with Only in Bridgeport also bemoaned that he's 'pissed and frustrated' to face the criminal charges, claiming, 'If we don't get out the vote, Ganim loses.' When responding to the allegation that he registered a non-citizen to vote, he said, 'How am I supposed to know? She gave me a social security number.' 'How much more loyal do you want us to be? We get out the vote and we get criminalized,' he said. 'Now we have to pay for lawyers. I have a wife and kids who are afraid of me going to jail. The party should have lawyers representing us.' GOP officials in the Constitution State want to know if similar fraud is happening in other parts of the state. 'Such an investigation is critical to restoring public trust in our election system, which has been severely undermined by the scandals in Bridgeport,' according to the letter. The five defendants have either denied wrongdoing or remained mum about the charges.
