Case’s public accountability bill awaits House vote
HARTFORD – State Rep. Jay Case (R-63) won a small victory Wednesday when his signature proposal aimed at cracking down on public employees defrauding taxpayers jumped the committee process hurdle and now awaits a vote in the historic Hall of the House.
Case earlier this year introduced a bill requiring a five-year imprisonment mandatory minimum for anyone found guilty of stealing more than $2,000 of public money. The legislature’s judiciary committee tacked the proposal onto a larger bill related to diversionary programs, approving Case’s push to be tougher on public officials.
Instead of a five-year sentence, public officials convicted of public larceny will not be eligible for accelerated rehabilitation – a regularly-used jail diversionary program used in Connecticut.
“It isn’t exactly what I wanted but it’s still a victory in my book,” Case said. “We need to take a strong stance against anyone who thinks it’s OK to defraud the public trust. We need to keep them accountable. I’m thankful that the committee leaders saw a need to take action on such an important concern, and close that loophole available to proven criminals.”
Through the entire process, Case worked with committee leadership on both sides of the aisle to ensure duping the public’s trust wouldn’t be taken lightly. His bill received rave reviews during its public hearing: local residents praised the idea and lawmakers thanked him for his work.
The bill with Case’s amendment now awaits a date in the state House of Representatives.
“Unfortunately my community saw firsthand what public fraud can do to town finances and its lasting impact on how town government operates. This step forward is a victory, albeit small, to making sure we clean up Connecticut and deter anyone else from acting inappropriately with taxpayer funds,” Case said.