The lawyer representing the Ansonia school board member charged last week with carrying a weapon while under the influence and drunk driving has promised a “successful defense” in the case.
The school board member, Robert Caruso, 51, of Crestwood Road, was charged with operating under the influence, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to drive right, traveling unreasonably fast, and carrying a firearm while under the influence in connection to a crash reported about 11:10 p.m. Saturday (May 19) at the corner of Beaver Street and Myrtle Avenue.
“There is no reason to believe he was intoxicated, and every reason to explore further his medical condition, and we’re doing so,” Caruso’s lawyer, Norm Pattis, said Friday.
Pattis didn’t go into details about what Caruso’s medical condition is, but maintained he will show in court that his client wasn’t drunk at the time of the crash.
Caruso refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene of the accident, according to police.
Pattis said that because Caruso wasn’t drunk, the gun charge he faces will go away as well.
“It was a licensed weapon that he was lawfully authorized to have, and he wasn’t intoxicated,” Pattis said.
“He’s a dedicated public servant, and before people line up to declare his career over, they should listen because there’s a story to tell and I’m anxious to tell it,” Pattis went on.
Caruso has a long history of public service in Ansonia, especially with the city’s fire department.
Dave O’Donnell, a Derby native, used the Valley Indy Facebook page Friday to defend Caruso.
“(I’ve known) Robert since he was a teenager! He worked for Van’s Catering in Oxford from the age he was 18 until 21. From 5 in the morning till 9 at night …5 days a week! He dedicated his life to public service in the City of Ansonia since he was 18 years old in fact he is a former Fire Chief. Until we know the full details I would appreciate if you would keep the derogatory statements to (yourself).”
Caruso faces five misdemeanor charges.
He posted a $1,000 bond in the case and is due at Superior Court in Derby May 31.
Police said Caruso was driving on Beaver Street Saturday night when he crossed over into the southbound lane and hit a chain link fence and a stop sign.
From there, police said Caruso drove across Myrtle Avenue and crashed into the foundation of a house.
There were no injuries or other vehicles involved. Caruso was the only person in his vehicle.
Caruso is a local Republican, but doesn’t attend town committee meetings nor caucus with fellow GOP’ers, party officials said Thursday.
Patrick Henri, the chairman of Ansonia’s Republican Town Committee, called on other city officials to ask Caruso to resign Thursday.
Kevin Blake, Ansonia’s corporation counsel, said he doesn’t think there is anything in the City Charter to compel Caruso’s resignation.
Caruso is not an any sort of leave from the fire department as he sorts out his legal trouble. Ansonia Fire Department Chief Joseph Kingston said the incident is not related to Caruso’s service to the fire department and is being treated as a private matter.
Caruso works for the City of Ansonia’s public works department, and is also an auxiliary police officer in Derby.
Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski said this week that his department would be looking into Caruso’s arrest.
