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Bridgeport State News

Call for Federal Investigation into CT Election Fraud

Feb 28, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

Republican leaders in the Connecticut General Assembly have written to U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi today to formally request a federal investigation into whether election crimes in Bridgeport are part of a larger, coordinated effort to defraud voters statewide. Following the recent arrest of Democratic Bridgeport City Councilman Alfredo Castillo on multiple election-related charges, GOP lawmakers are urging federal officials to examine whether the fraudulent tactics uncovered in Bridgeport—ballot tampering, forgery, coercion, and the registration of illegal voters—are being replicated elsewhere in Connecticut. “Councilman Castillo’s own words suggest a broader operation at play, involving efforts to benefit high-profile Democratic candidates at the state and federal levels,” said House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora. “We cannot ignore the possibility that these corrupt…

State News

WALGREENS TO PAY $97.8M TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS IT BILLED THE GOVERNMENT FOR UNCOLLECTED PRESCRIPTIONS

Feb 27, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong and 49 other attorneys general joined the U.S. Department of Justice in settling allegations against Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens). Under the terms of the agreement, Walgreens—which operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country from its headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois—will pay $97.8 million to resolve allegations that it unlawfully billed government health care programs for prescriptions that were never collected or otherwise received by patients. The settlement agreement will resolve allegations set forth in two qui tam lawsuits: United States ex rel. Turck, et al. v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., et al., No. 4:19-cv-315 (E.D. Tex. filed Apr. 26, 2019); and United States, et al.…

State News

Another State Official Targeted In Bomb Threat

Feb 27, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

State Senator Stephen Harding issued a statement late Tuesday night after law enforcement responded to a bomb threat at his residence. "Thank you to our state and local police for their work in responding to this threat. We are safe, and we are grateful to law enforcement for their professionalism and dedication," Harding said. He expressed appreciation for the Brookfield Police, State Police, and Capitol Police, commending their swift action and reassurance during a difficult time. Harding called the incident a “distraction” and emphasized his continued commitment to key issues affecting Connecticut families. "All families in Connecticut deserve to feel safe. My CT Senate Republican Caucus and I will never stop focusing on the issues that matter to Connecticut’s working…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LEADS 38-STATE AND TERRITORY BIPARTISAN COALITION URGING CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST RISE IN ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME

Feb 27, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT – Attorney General William Tong is co-leading a 38-state and territory bipartisan coalition in urging Congress to take action to address the rise in organized retail crime across the country. Organized retail crime has contributed to financial losses totaling over $121 billion in the U.S., and 76 percent of retail asset protection managers’ report their employees have suffered from violence at the hands of an organized retail criminal. Cargo theft remains a primary component of organized retail crime nationwide – disrupting supply chains and acting as an inflationary pressure on the price of everything from baby formula to clothing. “This is not run-of-the-mill shoplifting. These are criminal organizations who recruit desperate people to steal and stock sophisticated online…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES NEW LAW TO PROTECT VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS FROM CLAIM SHARKS

Feb 21, 2025 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to approve legislation he is proposing this session that will enact a new state law protecting veterans against being exploited by for-profit companies that charge exorbitant fees for filing disability claims on their behalf with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Commonly known as “claim sharks,” these unaccredited companies solicit veterans with the promise that their services can help them get disability claims approved by the VA. Frequently, these companies wait until after the claim has been approved to notify the veteran that they will be charged fees for this service, sometimes taking a large cut of the veteran’s future disability benefits, which…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT ACTIVATES CONNECTICUT’S SEVERE COLD WEATHER PROTOCOL EFFECTIVE SUNDAY EVENING

Feb 16, 2025 Alex

Anyone in Need of Shelter Is Urged To Call 2-1-1 or Visit 211ct.org For a List of Locations (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that due to a weather forecast indicating that Connecticut will experience a blast of arctic temperatures and breezy winds over the next several days, he is directing the state’s severe cold weather protocol to go into effect beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2025, and remaining in effect through 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025. During this period, overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits. Coupled with steady winds, it will feel like it is below zero during the overnights for much of next week. Anyone in need…

State News

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES THE LARGEST EXPANSION OF PRESCHOOL ACCESS IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Feb 11, 2025 Alex

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is urging the Connecticut General Assembly to approve legislation he is proposing this session that will implement the largest expansion of preschool access in Connecticut history, enabling thousands of additional children to enroll in high-quality, early childhood education services, which have been unattainable for many families. “I want Connecticut to lead on early childhood education, and that means making preschool affordable and accessible for all of our kids,” Governor Lamont said. “Access to early childhood services is massively important to the state’s success, not only because these programs provide valuable tools for children that will lead them to professional achievements in the future, but also because being able to enroll your…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SEEKS LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SHRINKFLATION, PRICE GOUGING

Feb 11, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today urged lawmakers to back legislation proposed by the Office of the Attorney General to combat “shrinkflation” and price gouging contributing to unaffordable grocery bills for Connecticut families. “Grocery prices are unaffordable and only getting more expensive. We need strong laws to go after the manufacturers and packagers who are taking advantage of this crisis to pad their profits,” said Attorney General Tong. Click here for Attorney General Tong’s testimony on both proposals. SHRINKFLATION The term “shrinkflation” refers to packaging tricks deployed by manufacturers to try to hide the fact they are reducing packaging sizes to raise prices. For example, a manufacturer who reduces the volume of peanut butter in a jar by adding a dimple…

State News

Bill To Protect Illegal Immigrants

Feb 11, 2025 Stephen Krauchick

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) have introduced legislation aimed at protecting immigrants seeking essential services from immigration enforcement actions. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act would prevent federal immigration officers from making arrests, conducting interviews, or carrying out surveillance at locations such as hospitals, schools, and courthouses. Blumenthal emphasized the need for these protections, stating, “Allowing ICE to invade spaces where people access health care, education, justice, and prayer is cruel and unnecessary, as well as a threat to public safety. When people are too frightened to seek medical care or report a crime, the entire community suffers.” Espaillat, a longtime advocate for immigrant protections, criticized the rollback of previous safeguards under…

State News

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SECRETARY OF TREASURY TO BLOCK DOGE ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS, SENSITIVE DATA AND CRITICAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS

Feb 10, 2025 Alex

(Hartford, CT) -- Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general suing President Donald Trump, the U.S. Treasury and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to stop the unauthorized disclosure of Americans’ private information and sensitive data. The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration illegally provided Elon Musk and the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” unauthorized access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system, and therefore to Americans’ most sensitive personal information, including bank account details and Social Security numbers. This expanded access could allow Musk and his team to block federal funds to states and programs providing health care, childcare, and other critical services. With this lawsuit, the coalition of attorneys general is seeking to stop…

Call for Federal Investigation into CT Election Fraud

WALGREENS TO PAY $97.8M TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS IT BILLED THE GOVERNMENT FOR UNCOLLECTED PRESCRIPTIONS

Another State Official Targeted In Bomb Threat

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LEADS 38-STATE AND TERRITORY BIPARTISAN COALITION URGING CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST RISE IN ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES NEW LAW TO PROTECT VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS FROM CLAIM SHARKS

GOVERNOR LAMONT ACTIVATES CONNECTICUT’S SEVERE COLD WEATHER PROTOCOL EFFECTIVE SUNDAY EVENING

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROPOSES THE LARGEST EXPANSION OF PRESCHOOL ACCESS IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SEEKS LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SHRINKFLATION, PRICE GOUGING

Bill To Protect Illegal Immigrants

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SECRETARY OF TREASURY TO BLOCK DOGE ACCESS TO CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS, SENSITIVE DATA AND CRITICAL PAYMENT SYSTEMS

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