'She should face jail time.' New Britain demands former mayor Erin Stewart repay more than $240K in improper payouts and fees
The city said more repayment demands may follow as its audit continues.
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The City of New Britain has ordered former Mayor Erin Stewart to repay more than $240,000 after an investigation found she received improper separation payouts, unauthorized tuition reimbursements and a pension she was not eligible to collect.
"She should face jail time," says New Britain resident Hahkiesh Augmon-Smith. "If it was anybody else, we would face jail time, no questions asked."
According to a formal demand letter sent to Stewart, an outside review determined her separation payout was miscalculated. Stewart received $121,978.88, though investigators said she was entitled to only $14,275.80. The city is seeking repayment of $107,703.08 by August 1, 2026.
The city is also demanding repayment of $31,561.54 in tuition reimbursements for Stewart’s master’s degree, saying the payments were never approved by the Common Council. That amount is due by September 1, 2026.
"That means she was literally just focusing on taking the money and building herself up," says Jimmy Rodriguez, of New Britain. "That's outrageous."
The letter states that Stewart’s city pension has been revoked because she did not meet the required years of service and had previously been informed she was ineligible.
New Britain is also seeking $102,204 in attorneys’ fees tied to the investigation, due by July 1, 2026, with additional costs expected as the review continues.
"Scary she was running for governor," says resident Danny Johnson. "I saw the changes she made around New Britain, and I thought the state of Connecticut could've benefited from it."
The city said more repayment demands may follow as its audit continues.
The full letter can be found here.
