ANSONIA – The state elections enforcement commission (SEEC) voted May 20 to dismiss a complaint against Ansonia Republicans for a celebration held two years ago.
Members of the commission voted 4 – 0 to dismiss the complaint brought last year by former Ansonia Democratic leader Dave Hannon.
Hannon’s complaint concerned a “Valley Victory Celebration” held Dec. 12, 2024 at the Saint Sebastian Club.
The event was co-hosted by the Ansonia and Derby Republican parties and had been billed as a celebration for the election of President Donald Trump.
In his complaint, Hannon said Ansonia Republicans later failed to report the event in their financial filings.
However, the commission said Hannon’s allegation was incorrect.
“The expenditures associated with the event were included in the campaign finance reporting documents filed with the Commission,” according to a letter signed by SEEC Chairman Stephen T. Penny.
In addition, the letter said the event didn’t appear to be tied to any particular local campaigns.
“Following an investigation by Enforcement staff, the Commission discovered no evidence that the event promoted the success or defeat of any candidate’s campaign,” the letter said.
Tony Mammone, the Ansonia Republican Town Committee chairman, said the dismissal speaks for itself and declined further comment.
Hannon also declined to comment.
Ansonia Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Jacquelyn Daniels said she respects the commission’s decision. However, she noted that at least one other complaint from Hannon remains under investigation by the commission.
“We’ll just continue to respect the process and let the facts continue to develop on that,” Daniels said.
Hannon brought at least four complaints against the Ansonia Republican party between 2024 and 2025.
The commission found Ansonia Republicans failed to report minor campaign expenses in response to one complaint. In another, the commission fined former city corporation counsel John Marini $400 for campaign finance violations while serving as treasurer for former Mayor David Cassetti’s re-election campaigns.
The Ansonia Board of Aldermen, whose members were all elected as Democrats last November, voted May 27 to retain a law firm for an independent investigation into alleged misuse of city resources by the Cassetti administration, including for political purposes.