Former Connecticut lawmaker gets 27 months in prison for stealing over $1 million in coronavirus aid

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A former Connecticut state representative has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for stealing more than $1.2 million from the city of West Haven, most of it federal-related coronavirus aid. Michael DiMassa used a chunk of the money to fuel his gambling addiction. He apologized Wednesday (May 31, 2023) in federal court in Hartford for conspiring with others to bill the city for services never rendered. The West Haven Democrat also must repay the city nearly $866,000. Three co-defendants including DiMassa’s wife also got prison time earlier. While DiMassa could have gotten more than four years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, the judge gave him credit for fully accepting responsibility and testifying at a co-defendant’s trial.