Press Release U.S. Attorney's Office District of Connecticut

Former Connecticut DPW Bureau Chief admits making false statements during corruption investigation.

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced that Richard F. Piotrowski, age 61, of Plainville, Connecticut waived indictment and pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Peter C. Dorsey in New Haven to two counts of making a material false statement in connection with a public corruption investigation.

According to documents filed with the Court and to statements made in Court, Piotrowski formerly worked as the Bureau Chief of Facilities, Design and Construction for the Connecticut Department of Public Works (DPW). As the Bureau Chief, he had oversight for construction and maintenance of various state buildings and frequently communicated with private contractors and management firms that did business with the State of Connecticut. In addition, Piotrowski was a member of the five-person panel that met on April 23, 1999 to select the construction manager for the construction of the Connecticut Juvenile Training Facility (CJTS).

Because of his position at the Connecticut DPW and role in the CJTS project, Piotrowski was interviewed several times by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal investigation during the investigation of corruption in state government, and Piotrowski provided information based on the agreement that his words would not be used against him. However, Piotrowski understood that he was not protected if the Government determined that he had provided materally false information.

In pleading guilty, Piotrowski admitted that he did, in fact, provide materially false information during the interviews. Specifically, Piotrowski admitted that he initially concealed from investigators that, prior to the selection of a construction manager for CJTS, a Connecticut DPW official told Piotrowski that Peter Ellef, the Co-Chief of Staff to the Governor of Connecticut, had spoken to him and wanted Tomasso Brothers Inc (TBI) to get the project; the official emphasized to Piotrowski that it was important to Ellef that TBI receive the project; and, as a result of the conversation, Piotrowski told the DPW official that he would relay the message to other members of the selection panel, which Piotrowski did do.

In addition, Piotrowski admitted, over the course of several interviews with federal investigators, he failed to disclose accurately and completely the things of value that he received from private state contractors for, or because of, his position in the Connecticut DPW.

Judge Dorsey has scheduled sentencing for September 11, 2006 at which time Piotrowski faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each false statement count.

In October 2005, Ellef pleaded guilty to federal bribery and tax charges. On April 25, Judge Dorsey sentenced him to 30 months of imprisonment.

The United States Attorney's Office stated that the investigation is continuing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nora R. Dannehy.