John Blawie Confirmed

As Judge

By Andrew Gorosko

The state legislature has confirmed Sandy Hook resident John F. Blawie as a Connecticut Superior Court judge.

Mr Blawie gained legislative approval for a seat on the state bench on May 5.

The new judge was beginning his judicial training on May 6. Mr Blawie was not available for comment before the deadline for this edition of The Bee.

Mr Blawie had gained the endorsement of the legislature’s judiciary committee following an April 26 confirmation hearing. Mr Blawie was among nine people who were nominated for judgeships by the governor on April 15.

Other judges living in Newtown besides Mr Blawie include Chief Judge William J. Lavery of the Connecticut Appellate Court, and Judge Heidi G. Winslow of the Connecticut Superior Court.

Until becoming a judge, Mr Blawie, 46, was a senior assistant state’s attorney working out of the office of Chief State’s Attorney in Rocky Hill. He handled criminal prosecutions throughout the state. Mr Blawie’s specialty was prosecuting white-collar crime and computer-based crime. He headed the state’s economic crime unit.

Mr Blawie began his legal career as an attorney with the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement division in New York City, where he prosecuted Wall Street insider trading cases. He later worked as a corporate lawyer for two Fairfield County-based corporate headquarters offices. He then returned to government service, working at the state’s attorney’s office in Bridgeport.

Mr Blawie’s wife, Karen, is a former member of Newtown’s Legislative Council. They have three children: Jack, 15, Brendan, 12, and Mary Kay, 8.