Ex-Connecticut Budget Official Testifies in Bribery Trial, Claims Payments Were for Introductions
Bridgeport, CT – Former Connecticut state deputy budget director Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis testified yesterday in federal court, claiming payments of tens of thousands of dollars he received from construction contractors were not bribes, but fees for facilitating business introductions.
Diamantis, who oversaw the state’s school building office, spent several hours on the stand detailing his work on school construction projects and his relationships with three construction officials who have already admitted to paying him bribes. Federal prosecutors have presented evidence, including emails, text messages, and payroll records, suggesting Diamantis traded his influence for personal gain, including securing a job for his daughter with Construction Advocacy Professionals. Diamantis’s defense attorney, Norm Pattis, argued in an opening statement that his client’s sole goal was to save taxpayers money, stating, “Mr. Diamantis will tell you he never took a bribe, and he never used undue influence on school construction projects.”
Diamantis admitted to accepting $70,000 from Acranom Masonry officials Sal Monarca and John Duffy, but asserted the money was a “fee” for introducing them to executives at D’Amato Construction. He stated, “Contractors are always looking to expand their network…I made an introduction between John Duffy and D’Amato construction.” This account directly contradicts the testimony of Duffy and Monarca, who previously testified the payments were intended to secure school construction contracts. The case highlights concerns about potential corruption in state contracting processes, which can inflate costs and delay vital public works projects. Further details on state ethics regulations can be found at the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General Ethics Division.
Diamantis also challenged assertions that he controlled the hiring of companies for school construction projects, claiming those decisions were made by local officials. However, heads of School Building Committees in Hartford and Tolland testified last week that Diamantis directed them on which companies to hire, due to his influence over state funding. The trial continues with cross-examination of Diamantis scheduled to begin today, and prosecutors are expected to question him about the evidence presented thus far. You can find more information about school construction projects in Connecticut here.
