Ex-Connecticut official flees to Greece before sentencing for corruption
Federal authorities are exploring extradition after the 70-year-old former Connecticut budget official fled before a sentencing that could have brought more than 10 years in prison.
- On Thursday, former Connecticut budget official Konstantinos Kosta Diamantis fled to Greece, missing his scheduled federal sentencing in Bridgeport after defense attorney Norman Pattis informed the court that Diamantis called him Wednesday night from Greece and would not attend.
- Convicted last year by federal jury, Diamantis faced potential sentencing of 10 to 12 years in prison for extorting bribes from contractors while director of Connecticut's Office of School Construction Grants and Review, steering more than $8 million in contracts from 2018 to 2021.
- Prosecutors disclosed that Diamantis drove to Florida three weeks ago, hired a boat to Nassau in the Bahamas, and flew to London before reaching Greece; in a 10-page email, Diamantis claimed Gov. Ned Lamont weaponized the Department of Justice against him.
- U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill issued a bench warrant and rescheduled sentencing for September 30, setting it to proceed with or without Diamantis present, while Connecticut officials condemned his disappearance as a shameful betrayal of public trust.
- Diamantis holds dual American and Greek citizenship; Greek courts have upheld that extradition of Greek nationals is forbidden, making his return to face sentencing unclear, while a second corruption trial awaits on Medicaid fraud charges.
31 Articles
31 Articles
Convicted ex-Connecticut official flees to Greece before bribery sentencing
A former Connecticut deputy budget director who was convicted on 21 federal charges related to bribery and extortion fled to Greece before his sentencing hearing in court Thursday, according to his lawyer and prosecutors. Konstantinos Diamantis, 70, escaped the country before he could have faced 10 to 12 years in prison as requested by the […]
Ex-Connecticut official flees to Greece before sentencing for corrupti
A former senior budget official for Connecticut’s Democratic governor is now a fugitive in Greece after fleeing the U.S. by boat and plane ahead of his sentencing for corruption, his lawyer and prosecutors told a federal judge
Ex-Connecticut official flees to Greece before sentencing for corruption – WTOP News
A former senior budget official for Connecticut’s Democratic governor is now a fugitive in Greece after fleeing the U.S. by boat and plane ahead of his sentencing for corruption, his lawyer and prosecutors told a federal judge on Thursday. Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, 70, also sent his attorney a 10-page email accusing Gov. Ned Lamont of...
Associated Press News
Ex-Connecticut official flees to Greece before sentencing for corruption
A former Connecticut state budget official convicted of corruption fled the U.S. by boat and plane before his sentencing and is now a fugitive in Greece.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
