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On Monday, State Rep. Michael DiMassa, D-New Haven, West Haven, submitted a letter of resignation to Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill. DiMassa was arrested on Oct. 20 by the FBI and charged with defrauding the city of West Haven of $636,000. 

DiMassa was one of three West Haven officials in charge of the city’s emergency pandemic spending. He was accused of transferring $636,000 from federal pandemic relief funding into his business bank account, which officials suspect was partially used to purchase poker chips at the Mohegan Sun. DiMassa was released from custody on a $25,000 bond. Merrill received his resignation this morning. 

“It is with deep regret that I hereby resign from the Office of State Representative of the 116th General Assembly District effective immediately.” DiMassa wrote in the letter. 

DiMassa submitted his resignation from City Hall to the City of West Haven on Oct. 21. It became effective today. 

In a statement released Monday, Governor Ned Lamont said the DiMassa allegations “are serious and very troubling.” 

“If the allegations are true, he has not only broken the law but also betrayed the public trust,” Lamont wrote. “He had no choice but to resign. The citizens of West Haven and all of Connecticut deserve honest government.” 

Under state law, Lamont has 10 days to issue a writ of election for a special election, according to Jada Harris, secretary of state press secretary. That special election must be held on the 46th day after the issuance of the writ of election. Major party conventions must take place by 36 days before the special election. 

“I am glad that he has resigned so we can start the process of replacing him through the special election process,” West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi said in the New Haven Register. “I think it’s important that we have a full legislative delegation. There’s a lot of work ahead for West Haven and we need our delegation to help us. Hopefully will start the healing process to restore trust, not just for the legislative delegation but for the whole city.” 

In an Oct. 20 statement regarding DiMassa’s arrest, Rossi said, “If Representative DiMassa broke the public’s trust and his oath to protect and serve his constituents and is found guilty of fraudulent activity, I am demanding that he and any other individual[s] involved be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If convicted, all individuals involved should go to jail.”

In a joint statement, House Speaker Matt Ritter and Majority Leader Jason Rojas said that DiMassa’s resignation “is the right move for his constituents and the State. He allegedly broke faith with the people of West Haven and can no longer serve as their trusted voice at the State Capitol.”

After DiMassa’s arrest, the Senate Republican leaders asked Lamont to initiate a statewide audit of COVID-19 spending to reestablish public trust and confidence that the federal relief funding is used properly. All cities and towns are required to report their spending to the budget office by Oct. 22.

The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management has launched a statewide audit.

HANNAH QU