Erin Stewart fails to make first of three restitution payments to the City of New Britain
Stewart was supposed to have paid $102,294 in attorneys’ fees by July 1.
Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart failed to make the first of three restitution payments to the City of New Britain for legal expenses that incurred during her time as mayor, Mayor Bobby Sanchez said Wednesday.
Stewart was supposed to have paid $102,294 in attorneys’ fees by July 1.
Back in May, Stewart dropped her bid for governor following a spending investigation. An outside law firm later discovered that more than $200,000 of personal expenses were charged to her city-issued credit card.
Earlier this month, city officials ordered Stewart to repay more than $240,000.
Sanchez said Stewart publicly stated she would make full restitution to the City. He also says the city has not been contacted by Stewart or anyone acting on her behalf regarding the deadline.
"I have directed Corporation Counsel to immediately pursue every available legal remedy to recover the full amount owed to the City and to protect the interests of New Britain’s taxpayers. Our administration has been clear from the beginning: taxpayers should not be forced to bear the financial consequences of the actions of former public officials. We remain committed to making the City whole and will take all appropriate legal action necessary to recover these funds. Accountability does not end with acknowledging wrongdoing—it requires following through on the responsibility to make the taxpayers whole. This administration will continue to insist on accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public dollars," Sanchez said in a statement.
Stewart must pay back $107,703 by Aug. 1 and $31,561 for tuition reimbursements by Sept. 1.
News 12 has reached out to Stewart's lawyer but have not heard back.
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