ANSONIA – A Democratic Alderman was trespassing when he put political signs on properties owned by Republicans just after being elected to the board Nov. 4.

Alderman Karl Williams, 61, was charged Nov. 17 with three counts of simple trespass, which are infractions under state law. He was fined $276, which he paid.

Williams, according to police, admitted to putting political signs supporting Democratic candidates on yards belonging to Mayor David Cassetti, Alderman Tony Levinsky, Alderman Tony Mammone, and Alderman Josh Shuart.

Williams was not charged in connection to the Cassetti sign placement because police said they did not receive a complaint.

Williams was part of the Democratic sweep of the mayor’s office and the Board of Aldermen Nov. 4. His targets were all Republicans who had just lost their re-election bids.

Although the election was Nov. 4, the inauguration of the newly-elected officials did not happen until Dec. 2, so Williams was an Alderman-elect when the crime happened. 

The investigation started after Mammone called police Nov. 5 to complain about political signs being vandalized. 

“Mammone stated that on (Nov. 5) he noticed two political signs were placed on his front lawn for his political opponent who he was running against,” according to the report. Williams and Mammone were both running to represent the city’s Sixth Ward.

Mammone checked his security camera footage, which showed a large truck parked near his house at about 4:22 a.m. – about seven hours after polls closed Nov. 4. 

A man from the truck placed two signs on his lawn.

“Mammone stated he recognized the male to be Karl Williams, who he was running against for Alderman in Ansonia,” according to the report. Mammone told police two signs supporting the Democrats were also placed on Cassetti’s property.

Mammone, who is the chairman of the Ansonia Republican Town Committee, also reported that eight large Cassetti signs had large, “Thanks for nothing” stickers placed on them. The large lawn signs cost about $750 each.

On Nov. 7, police interviewed then-Alderman Tony Levinsky, who told police that Williams trespassed on his property at about 4:10 a.m. Nov. 5 to plant signs in the ground.

Levinsky said he recognized the truck as belonging to Williams because he had seen it at a polling location hours prior.

On Nov. 8, police interviewed Williams at his residence.

Williams stated he already knew why the police officer wanted to talk to him.

“Williams immediately admitted to putting the signs on all of the properties involved in this case,” according to the report. “Williams stated he knew it wasn’t appropriate, but wanted a way to say ‘f*** you’ to the previous administration,” the report states. 

The incident report also provides a motive: “Williams stated this started because of an issue with his parent’s healthcare through the City of Ansonia,” it states.

The newly elected Alderman showed police photos he took of the signs he put on properties belonging to Cassetti, Levinsky, Mammone, and Shuart.

However, Williams said he did not put the ‘Thanks for nothing’ stickers on Team Cassetti signs, and had no knowledge of who did it.

Police canvassed the area of Jewett Street in an effort to find surveillance video or witnesses regarding the “Thanks for nothing” vandalism. The door knocking turned up no leads, according to police.

Williams told The Valley Indy Dec. 15 that he made a mistake. He did not indicate he’ll resign.

“Right after my actions back on Nov. 4, I knew I made a mistake and I took full responsibility for it,” Williams said, reading from a prepared statement. “I addressed the matter directly with the Ansonia Police Department at 11/5 at 9:14 a.m. in the morning and paid the fine. I hope to move forward from this situation, and I’m focused on continuing working and serving the residents of Ansonia.”

Democrats often criticized Cassetti for personally attacking public officials and residents through Facebook.

When reached for comment via text, the former mayor said he did not want to say much.

“What happened to the integrity that they ran on?” Cassetti asked.

The Valley Indy asked Mayor Frank Tyszka whether Williams should resign from the Board of Aldermen.

In a statement sent from his office, the new mayor called the incident unfortunate but did not call for Williams to step down.

“I believe that civility in government comes from the top and is led by example. There will always be those with whom we disagree, but we can disagree respectfully. That is the type of culture I am working to instill in our city government,” he said.

The Ansonia Democratic Town Committee is also not calling for Williams to step down, saying he took responsibility and that the matter was handled by law enforcement.

Williams represents the Sixth Ward. With 571 votes, he was the top vote getter in a four-way race for two seats. He was elected from the Sixth Ward with fellow Democrat Daniel Stahl. They defeated incumbents Mammone and Shuart, who was president of the Board of Aldermen.