New Haven—New Haven Mayor John DeStefano today called on Governor Jodi Rell to stop “stonewalling” and disclose all details regarding improper and possibly illegal contributions solicited by her campaign; immediately return all illegal or improper contributions under investigation surrounding a December 7th fundraiser, and suspend her chief of staff M. Lisa Moody, who has admitted to making improper campaign solicitations on behalf of the governor’s campaign, until investigations are concluded by the State’s Attorney Office and State Election Enforcement Commission.
“This Governor has a history of closing her eyes to scandals. This time Governor Rell cannot escape responsibility. This is no longer about John Rowland. This is about Jodi Rell. Governor Rell needs to come clean, stop stonewalling, and immediately disclose what she knows about improper and possible illegal fundraising engaged in by her top aide,” said DeStefano.
As examples of Rell’s “stonewalling” DeStefano cited Rell’s refusal to disclose who attended the December 7th fundraiser at the Marco Polo restaurant and who contributed at the fundraiser, and Rell’s refusal to order her commissioners and deputies to provide her with individual accounts of how they handled the campaign fundraising solicitations under investigation.
“Governor Rell needs to stop hiding behind her press aides blaming others. She needs to hold a news conference today to answer questions regarding this investigation, including why she is refusing to order her commissioners and deputies to cooperate with the elections agency probe. They work for her,” stated DeStefano.
DeStefano also called for Rell to immediately give back any money improperly or illegally raised at the December 7th Marco Polo event. “Campaign contributions raised by Governor Rell at the December 7th event that are clearly tainted, improper, or possibly illegal and should be immediately given back.”
DeStefano also called on the governor to suspend her Chief of Staff pending a completion of the ongoing investigations. “With Governor Rell’s top aide admittedly engaged in improper fundraising, Governor Rell should suspend her top aide until the criminal and ethical investigations are complete. Connecticut residents have had enough of scandal during the Rowland years; now Governor Rell needs to clean up her own office,” said DeStefano.