UPDATE: As of July 14, 2023, jurors in Bridgeport have begun deliberating the fate of former state budget deputy Kosta Diamantis in a high-stakes bribery and extortion case that could land him in prison for up to 20 years. After a nine-day trial and a four-year investigation, the jury is weighing serious charges against Diamantis, including conspiracy and lying to the FBI.
In a defiant statement outside the courthouse, Diamantis accused key witnesses of fabricating “multiple stories” to frame him. The jury received the case late Monday afternoon following two hours of intense closing arguments, with Diamantis facing a total of 21 counts.
Prosecutors allege that Diamantis exploited his position as the head of state school construction to demand kickbacks from contractors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis emphasized, “The defendant was a corrupt public official,” presenting damning text messages between Diamantis and Acranom Masonry. One message stated, “I am very good at what I do … and I always usually work at a five percent of total, just FYI.”
Testimony revealed that Diamantis is also accused of taking bribes from another firm, Construction Advocacy Professionals (CAP). CAP owner Antonietta Roy testified that she hired Diamantis’ daughter at a rate of $45 per hour upon his request. CAP received $2.2 million for construction administration in Tolland and Hartford, despite the district already having an administrator in place.
“I didn’t feel like I had any practical choice,” testified Tolland’s school superintendent, Dr. Walter Willett. “There are people who felt like they could probably do that work.”
Outside the courthouse, Diamantis dismissed the significance of the text messages, stating, “You want me to review a thousand texts that I never erased because I never thought they were important enough?” He maintained his innocence, suggesting that the contractors were the ones attempting to shake him down.
Former Acranom vice president John Duffy corroborated claims that Diamantis demanded payments to facilitate school construction jobs, remarking, “Without Kosta’s involvement or influence, we probably wouldn’t have got that job.”
The defense team, led by attorney Norm Pattis, argued that the consulting fees were legitimate and pointed out that not all elements of the federal crimes had been proven. “Two out of three might be good enough for a rock star, but it’s not good enough for a guilty verdict,” he stated.
As the jury continues to deliberate, the implications of their decision loom large. If convicted on all charges, Diamantis could face a significant prison sentence, with many awaiting the outcome with bated breath. Jurors will resume deliberations on Tuesday morning, with the entire nation watching closely.
The case highlights critical issues of corruption within public office and the ethical responsibilities of officials entrusted with taxpayer dollars. As this story develops, the potential ramifications reach far beyond the courtroom, impacting public trust and the integrity of government.
