ANSONIA – Members of the Board of Aldermen voted 11 – 2 Wednesday (May 27) to hire a law firm to investigate spending by former Mayor David Cassetti’s administration.
A cost estimate for the investigation was not shared at the meeting. The two nays were Aldermen Adam Prestin and Sean Rallis.
Below is a video of Mayor Frank Tyszka addressing the Aldermen about the investigation. The story continues after the video.
In February, Tyszka announced the city would investigate the use of city credit cards and city-owned vehicles while Cassetti was in office.
Then Tyszka announced last week that he would ask the Aldermen to authorize the independent investigation after his office allegedly found possible misuse of city resources by the prior administration.
Cassetti has denied the allegations, saying he welcomes the scrutiny.
Tyszka said the need for an independent investigation was clear after his office reviewed about three years of spending records.
“Based on a preliminary review of three years of charges and irregularities found, it was recommended that the review be expanded and an independent firm that specializes in this issue be secured to provide a comprehensive review,” Tyszka said.
The law firm named in the Aldermen’s resolution is Crumbie Law Group. That’s the same law firm that was hired in New Britain to look into inappropriate spending by former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart.
Tyszka said that the investigation could lead to criminal charges or a civil lawsuit. Specifics of the alleged irregularities were not shared in the meeting.
“This may potentially lead to a criminal investigation. I urge patience as we work through the process. Both criminal and civil proceedings may be considered,” Tyszka said.
He said the investigation is not motivated by spite. Cassetti said Tyszka “has an ax to grind” in response to a question from The Valley Indy last week.
“Everybody’s innocent until proven guilty. This isn’t a witch hunt. This is to make sure there was no misappropriation,” Tyszka said.
The investigation could be wide-ranging, according to a memo from the mayor shared last week.
It will include:
- “Possible personal use of city credit cards or purchasing authority
- Possible misuse of city vehicles and fuel purchases
- Possible improper use of City Hall or other city facilities for political activity during work hours
- Any other related conduct that may involve violation of City policy, ethics rules, or laws of the State of Connecticut.”
Alders Ask About Cost During Meeting
Three members of the board asked about the potential cost of the investigation. Tyszka declined to share a cost estimate, saying that negotiations with the law firm need to happen before there’s a number.
Alderwoman Lisa Glazer asked about the scope of the alleged irregularities in Cassetti administration spending.
“Are we talking hundreds, thousands? Hundreds of thousands?” Glazer asked.
“There’s areas of concern. I don’t have the numbers for you,” Tyszka said.
Tyszka said the investigation would be cheaper than a forensic audit, which he said would cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Background
Cassetti was not mentioned by name in either the meeting or in the resolution that the Aldermen approved.
However, Tyszka wrote a memo to the Aldermen last week which said there are allegations against “certain officials and employees prior to Dec. 1, 2025.”
Tyszka took office Dec. 1 after defeating Cassetti in the election the month before.
While Tyszka announced a probe in February, there were no updates on the investigation until The Valley Indy submitted a freedom of information request May 13, asking for records of Mayor Cassetti’s credit card use while in office.
The request has been acknowledged but not fulfilled.
Tyszka, during the May 27 meeting, cited The Valley Indy’s freedom of information request as having led to the investigation. The mayor’s memo also cited reports from citizens which alleged city resources were misused.
In an interview with The Valley Indy last week, Cassetti said he sometimes mistakenly used a city credit card for personal purchases made on Amazon. However, he said he paid the money back when the problem was pointed out by the city’s finance office, and then made sure his personal card was the default card on Amazon.