A former top official in Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's budget office, Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, has been arrested on charges of extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and false statements. Diamantis allegedly demanded and received thousands of dollars in bribes from private contractors overseeing state-funded school construction projects from 2018 to 2021.
According to federal authorities, Diamantis used his position as director of the state’s Office of School Construction Grants and Review to solicit bribes from contractors in exchange for helping them secure contracts for multimillion-dollar projects. Three executives from private contractors have already pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe Diamantis.
The indictment revealed electronic messages showing Diamantis pressuring contractors for money after assisting them in obtaining state contracts. He allegedly threatened to have a contractor removed from a project if he did not receive the agreed-upon bribe.
In addition to the bribery charges, Diamantis is accused of securing payments and a job for his daughter at an inflated salary from a consulting firm that received a contract for a school project in Tolland.
Diamantis, a former state representative and deputy secretary, resigned in October 2021 amid allegations of ethical improprieties. Gov. Lamont took steps to remove Diamantis from his positions and ordered reforms to the school construction grant program.
The investigation into Diamantis also involves federal subpoenas seeking communications related to various construction projects. The alleged misconduct occurred in projects at Weaver High School, Bulkeley High School, Birch Grove Primary School, and others.
Diamantis, who served as a state representative from 1993 to 2005, submitted his retirement paperwork upon resigning. He currently receives a state pension of $72,514 per year.
