A former Connecticut state representative pled guilty Tuesday to stealing $1.2 million in covid relief and using part of it to gamble at a casino, according to the Department of Justice.
Democratic Representative Michael DiMassa was charged with three counts of wire fraud conspiracy for allegedly stealing money from the city of West Haven, Connecticut, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) news release. DiMassa apparently worked with his wife, Lauren, who was reportedly paid just under $148,000 for services she reportedly never provided, according to the news release.
Michael DiMassa and his former business partner, John Bernardo, allegedly created Compass Investment Group, LLC, in January 2021 to fraudulently bill the city’s health department for consulting services totaling $636,783.70, according to the DOJ news release. These services were allegedly not performed. Michael also allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices with another suspect to the city for goods and services related to the pandemic and received approximately $431,982.
BREAKING NEWS: Former #Connecticut state Rep. Michael DiMassa pleads guilty in theft of $1.2 million in #COVID19 aid. https://t.co/V4dTgUIF0V
— News12CT (@News12CT) November 1, 2022
Michael DiMassa was a state representative and aid to the West Haven City Council and had the ability to approve covid-related funding, according to the news release. Michael DiMassa could spend up to 30 years in prison for each of the 3 charges, according to the DOJ. He has agreed to pay over $1.2 million in restitution. (RELATED: ‘We’re Going To Find You’: Gov’t Struggles To Prosecute Billions Of Dollars’ Worth Of Covid Fraud)
Bernardo also pled guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for the scheme, according to NBC Connecticut. A fourth person was also charged in the scheme but pled not guilty, the outlet noted.
“Hopefully now that Mr. DiMassa and two others have pleaded guilty, leaving only one person left who has pleaded not guilty, the city of West Haven will be able to move forward,” West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi said in a statement, NBC Connecticut reported.
“Since these incidents happened, there are many additional controls in place. There have also been many changes in personnel in Finance and other departments,” Rossi added, according to the outlet. “West Haven is trying to put this behind us and move forward.”