Looks like smoother sailing for Ryan Fazio in the upcoming primary: one challenger down, one to go
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A timeline compiled by the Crumbie Law Group details the timeframe in which former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart was making purchases with her city-owned credit card. The report shows that Stewart's purchases align with certain family events like births and birthdays.
Republican Erin Stewart suspends campaign for CT governor amid misconduct report
Republican Erin Stewart announced Thursday she is suspending her campaign for governor, after a new report detailed her alleged improper use of a city-issued credit card as mayor of New Britain. [Like, $200,000 improper — ED]
"I take the allegations that have been made against me very seriously," Stewart said in a statement. "And for that reason, I am suspending my gubernatorial campaign effective immediately so that I can focus on addressing those claims."
Stewart further promised to "take accountability for any mistakes," and to "make full and complete restitution to the City of New Britain — my home — for anything that I owe."
According to the new report, conducted by the Hartford-based Crumbie Law Group, Stewart's purchases "were not isolated incidents but occurred repeatedly over an extended period, nearly a decade, showing a reckless disregard for established policies governing the use of public funds" and could constitute violations of the law.
The report accuses Stewart of using her city-issued card to pay for membership in a social club, clothes for her personal use and supplies for her daughter's birthday party, among many other purchases.
The investigation, commissioned by the city of New Britain, adds additional detail to recent media reports about Stewart's improper use of public money. Before Thursday, Stewart had declined to explain what appeared to be tens of thousands of dollars in personal charges on her city-issued card, blaming the media and her opponents for the story while promising to address the specifics at a later date.
In her statement Thursday, Stewart said questions about spending "have understandably taken over this race and diverted attention away from" issues facing the state.
"It is my intention not only to suspend my campaign but also to step back from public life as I do what is necessary to address these questions and make things right," Stewart said. "I cannot change the past, but I can make the next right decision — and this is it."
Before Stewart's alleged misconduct was revealed last week, she appeared to be a favorite for the Republican nomination for governor, alongside state Sen. Ryan Fazio. Her decision to exit the race leaves Fazio and former New York Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaugheyto face off at the party's convention this weekend.
Stewart said in her statement Thursday that Fazio has her "full support in becoming our party's nominee."
…. The investigation by the Crumbie Law Group matches exact dates of Stewart's purchases on her city-issued credit card with evidence, including photos and receipts, alleging that thousands of dollars in goods and services the city paid for were in fact for her personal use – including maternity clothing, jewelry, parties for her children and husband, expensive meals, household items and even campaign events.
Among the items detailed in the report were party supplies and a toddler's dress for her daughter's 2nd birthday with the theme of Peppa Pig, the cartoon character.
The 18-page document, with 55 pages of exhibits supporting the claims, comes just ahead of the Republican Party's state convention at Mohegan Sun. It fleshes out the same $207,076 in charges on the city's credit card that media outlets have reported this week, starting Sunday with the Hartford Courant and WTNH-TV.
