State Sen. Bradley, campaign treasurer plead not guilty to wire fraud charges
The case against him was laid out in a 24-page indictment that accuses Bradley of a scheme to defraud the state Election Commission, the Citizens' Election Fund and the state.
News 12 Staff
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May 25, 2021, 5:01 PM
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Updated 1,060 days ago
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Sen. Dennis Bradley, of Bridgeport, and his campaign treasurer turned
themselves in to federal authorities Tuesday to face wire fraud charges.
Bradley's
lawyer escorted him from the courthouse in New Haven after he pleaded
not guilty on five counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit
wire fraud.
Court
documents claim Bradley (D-Bridgeport) broke fundraising rules at a campaign announcement
party that cost nearly $6,000 of his own money. Later, they say Bradley and his
campaign treasurer Jessica Martinez took more than $175,000 in campaign funding
from the State Elections Commission that their campaign wasn't entitled to.
The
indictment says the claims originated in a civilian complaint filed June 29,
2018. Bridgeport City Councilwoman Maria Pereira says she filed that complaint.
Pereira says when it comes to corruption in Bridgeport, enough is enough.
“You
would think at some point a lightbulb would go off for municipal officials in
Bridgeport and they would realize there are consequences with every poor
decision we make,” she told News 12.
Bradley
was released on $300,000 bond and Martinez on $250,000 bond.
President
Pro Tempore of the Connecticut State Senate Martin Looney announced that
Bradley would be removed from all of his committee assignments.
The
State Elections Enforcement Commission says its investigation remains open. It
says it has not recovered any of the $84,000 Bradley is accused of fraudulently
obtaining. In addition to criminal fines, Bradley could also face fines from
SEEC.
Senate Republican Leader
Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) released a statement after Bradley was indicted:
“I am troubled to learn of
the allegations in the indictment involving Senator Bradley. Those of us
fortunate enough to be elected to the state Senate have a special obligation to
make and uphold the law. The trust and faith that our constituents place in us
must never be broken. Our court system will carefully weigh these allegations.
In the meantime, it is incumbent upon Connecticut Democrats to take steps to
rebuild the public’s trust.”
