Developer Robert Scinto Thursday pleaded guilty to making a false statement to federal agents.
He appeared before Judge William Garfinkel at U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.
Scinto faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the charge.
During the 45-minute proceedings, Scinto said only one word, apart from variations on “Yes, your honor” and “No, your honor.”
That word was “Guilty,” when Scinto was asked how he pleads.
Scinto lied to FBI agents on June 18, 2008, when he told them he gave nothing more than Christmas gifts to Shelton public officials, according to a 12-page plea agreement.
Scinto gave benefits to at least one city official and at least one building official, according to U.S. prosecutor Rahul Kale. Those officials were not named on Thursday, but Kale said the defense knows their identity.
Article continues after document.
Corruption Probe
The FBI questioning came during the federal investigation into alleged corruption in Shelton among developers and public officials. That investigation has been ongoing for almost a decade.
Federal agents claim developers have given gifts and money to public officials in order to get favor with development proposals. The probe has targeted development along Bridgeport Avenue, a commercial corridor that has expanded over the past decade.
Also previously charged in the probe were developer James Botti, who was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of honest services mail fraud and structuring charges.
Click here to view all articles on the Botti charges and trial.
Botti’s father, Peter, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to structure cash deposits and structuring cash deposits. He awaits sentencing.
The city’s building official, Elliot Wilson, also pleaded guilty to lying to a grand jury when he said he didn’t accept gifts from developers.
Wilson also awaits sentencing in federal court.
In Botti’s trial, U.S. prosecutors said their target in the probe is Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti.
Lauretti has never been charged with a crime, and has denied wrongdoing.
Scinto developed several properties in Fairfield and New Haven counties, including the Scinto towers on Enterprise Drive in Shelton. He is currently trying to develop a corporate park at Fountain Lake in Ansonia — a project that has been stalled because of the economy.
The Plea
Scinto appeared in court at 11 a.m. on Thursday with his attorneys Jamie Cowdery and Tom Murphy. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Schechter and Rahul Kale appeared for the prosecution.
At 11:32 a.m., Scinto signed a plea agreement admitting to the charge of lying to FBI agents on June 18, 2008. In doing so, Scinto waived his right to a jury trial.
Scinto faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines, Schechter said. The developer could also recieve up to three years of supervised release. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7, 2011.
U.S. attorneys recommended no restitution, Schechter said, because there was a disagreement about the matter between the defense and prosecution.
As part of the agreement, Scinto retains his right to appeal. But he can appeal only the sentence, not the guilty plea.
Following Kale’s summary of the government’s case, Judge Garfinkel asked Scinto to affirm that he did indeed make false statements to FBI agents on June 18, 2008.
“Yes, sir,” Scinto replied.
At 11:40 a.m. Scinto stood and was asked by the court clerk, “How do you plead?”
“Guilty,” he said.
He was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond.
Scinto and his attorneys declined to comment after the hearing. A younger man embraced Scinto as he waited for the elevator outside the courtroom.
The plea agreement is posted below.
