Chief State’s Attorney’s Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting of March 7, 2022

The meeting was called to order at 12:43 p.m. by Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr. The meeting was conducted remotely utilizing Zoom software in accordance with directives issued by the Governor because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also present: Deputy Chief State’s Attorney for Personnel, Finance and Administration John J. Russotto, Deputy Chief State’s Attorney, Inspector General Robert J. Devlin, Jr., State’s Attorneys Margaret E. Kelley (Ansonia/Milford), Maureen Platt (Waterbury), Stephen J. Sedensky III (Danbury), Paul J. Narducci (New London), Joseph T. Corradino (Fairfield), Patrick J. Griffin (New Haven), Sharmese L. Walcott (Hartford), Brian W. Preleski (New Britain), Matthew C. Gedansky (Tolland), Michael A. Gailor (Middlesex), Dawn Gallo (Litchfield),  Paul J. Ferencek (Stamford/Norwalk), and Anne F. Mahoney (Windham).

Also present: Executive Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Doyle, Jr., Gail P. Hardy and Brett Salafia and Legislative Liaison Melanie Dykas.

State’s Attorney Platt moved to accept the minutes of the February 7, 2022 meeting. State’s Attorney Griffin seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Bruce Lockwood and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Timothy Sugrue presented on the topic of digital evidence search warrants and the legal and operational issues surrounding the scope of digital evidence search warrants. It was agreed that the Division should update all of its search warrant templates and come up with a list of the best practices to be used as a basis for training Division personnel as well as police department personnel around the state.

Executive Assistant State’s Attorney Doyle reported on his research of municipal body-worn camera policies and procedures. He is preparing a memorandum summarizing the important issues.

Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto provided an update on his testimony at the March 3, 2022 Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. State’s Attorney Preleski and Legislative Liaison Dykas reported on the upcoming Judiciary Committee written testimony and hearing on the prosecutorial accountability bill.

State’s Attorney Griffin gave an update on the work of the Training Committee. The Committee is working on the agenda and venue for the June 9, 2022 prosecutor training. The State’s Attorneys were asked to send a list of what they think are the core competencies of a prosecutor to Deputy Chief State’s Attorney Russotto by no later than March 28, 2022.

In other business, Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo discussed the residency requirement found in the prosecutor job description. He also announced that former Supreme Court Justice Peter Zarella and Public Defender Barry Butler have agreed to participate on the Division’s Conviction Integrity Advisory Board.

State’s Attorney Mahoney moved to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. State’s Attorney Ferencek seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The Executive Session began at 2:01 p.m.

The Executive Session ended at 2:27 p.m. and Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo reported that no motions were made or votes were taken during the Executive Session.

State’s Attorney Gallo led a brief discussion on pay equity and salary compression issues concerning Division senior managers.

There being no further business, State’s Attorney Mahoney made a motion to adjourn. State’s Attorney Gallo seconded the motion and it passed without opposition. The meeting was adjourned at 2:36 p.m.