Lawsuit Sparks Political Speculation

By Kendra Bobowick

Business owner Matthew DeAngelis, who filed the civil lawsuit against the Town of Newtown and a handful of public servants in their official capacities, last week further spurred his growing campaign of criticism against the town’s management of Fairfield Hills with criticism of his own political party.

“As surprised and pleased as I am with the people of Newtown, I am equally disappointed and disheartened by the politicians, particularly in my party, the Republicans. I don’t fault the GOP for approving the master plan [the document outlining Fairfield Hills’s future redevelopment]… It’s now years later and they were clearly asleep at the switch while the train was veering off the tracks,” he stated in an email.

The email was generated from another component of his campaign that coincides with the lawsuit — a grassroots collection of unidentified individuals known as Friends of Newtown, for which Mr DeAngelis is spokesperson. The group’s website, Insidenewtown.com, relates an ongoing criticism of town activities, including Fairfield Hills. His comments were a preamble to a release sent to The Newtown Bee in a message from Insidenewtown.com.

Mr DeAngelis is a registered Republican.

The release from Mr DeAngelis and Insidenewtown.com explains that not only has Friends of Newtown Spokesperson Matt DeAngelis filed a federal suit against the town “over the town’s handling of the Fairfield Hills project,” but has announced specifically that the Friends’ “investigative team” has made further freedom of information requests about town expenditures.

Mr DeAngelis is putting his name to past weeks’ initially anonymous Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requests that continue to come into First Selectman Herb Rosenthal’s office this week.

The release states, “Our investigative team…staffed by Friends of Newtown volunteers and Newtown taxpayers, has come up with some items that we believe need to be clarified.”

His requests include a list of 15 expenditures he wants itemized.

Mr Rosenthal said that his office is complying with requests, but clarified, “It is my understanding and my lawyer’s understanding that we don’t have to have someone going through months of bills…[Mr DeAngelis] should come in and look, make an appointment and go through the files.” Mr Rosenthal said with certainty that all expenditures can be accounted for. Both his office assistants and Attorney David Grogins have responded to requests, he said.

Republican Town Committee (RTC) Chairman Chuck Stofko distanced himself from Mr DeAngelis and firmly denied any affiliation with the Friends of Newtown or its website.

He said, “I am not affiliated with Insidenewtown.com. Period.”

The lawsuit that nearly coincided with the emergence of Insidenewtown.com “piqued my interest,” said Mr Stofko as he explained his reasons for attending this month’s Fairfield Hills Authority meeting.

He said, “[The website] got my attention and I wanted to find out more and participate and learn what’s going on.”

He continued, “I just want to be educated as far as what’s happening at Fairfield Hills. It could be something the [RTC] considers as part of the platform.”

Mr Stofko also considered how he feels as party chairman that the lawsuit names fellow Republican town officials as defendants. He replied, “[Mr DeAngelis] is operating as an independent. I am confident in our Republican leadership and concern is premature at this point.”

Mr Stofko addressed some of his concerns about Fairfield Hills. “I for one have often wondered about what I perceive as a lack of progress at Fairfield Hills. When I heard about the lawsuit, I began asking [others] about their thoughts…and none were too pleased.” He said he will be speaking with the first selectman in the future about how the “very large investment is being integrated into Newtown’s larger economic development plans.”

Mr Stofko also questions some of the town government’s decisions.

“In my opinion our town leadership has not adequately explained how the proposed town hall will impact our town financially or explore how their constituents feel about the proposal in light of recent capital developments. Clearly the community needs to become more involved with how our tax dollars and town assets are being allocated.”

Other RTC members have shared their concerns with the Insidenewtown.com campaign. Town committee member Barbara O’Connor has visited Insidenewtown.com and left her own words of criticism in the site’s digital guest book.

She had “signed” the site’s book with her own remarks to postings of a list of political donors. She noted that there were inaccuracies and questions, “If you’re wrong about me how many of your other facts are wrong?”

She also explained that the committee touched on the website topic in a recent meeting before the lawsuit came out, she said.

“Much of the talk was the fact that people didn’t identify themselves. We felt that was inappropriate,” she said.

She was unaware of any members who might also be behind the workings of Insidenewtown.com, which has produced no names of those involved other than Mr DeAngelis.

Mr Stofko said he does not know of any committee members who align themselves with the site.

Mr Geckle, a Republican and Fairfield Hills Authority chairman, and also named in the legal action, has openly called the lawsuit “frivolous.”

Mr Rosenthal considered whether this lawsuit and cyber-criticism might be an early step in a campaign against his office. He said, “If this is sincere, that’s one thing, but if it’s political...” He did not finish his sentence.

Mr Rosenthal questioned why Mr DeAngelis has chosen to launch an at-first anonymous “campaign” of Freedom of Information demands for records on Fairfield Hills finances.

Last week Mr DeAngelis has denied that the lawsuit is political.

Municipal elections are one year away.