NHR Article - Ierardi Decision - 2-6-10

SPARED TRIAL

Ierardis get probation in larceny case

By Ann DeMatteo Assistant Metro Editor

MERIDEN — A Superior Court judge Friday granted a special form of probation to two former North Haven officials alleged to have stolen $3,700 from the town over five years.

  Joseph J. and Patricia C. Ierardi, the former director and assistant director of North Haven’s Department of Community Services and Recreation, sat in silence while Judge Paul Matasavage described how he grappeled with whether to grant them accelerated rehabilitation. When the decision was announced, the Ierardis and their supporters hugged, with tears in their eyes.

Joseph Ierardi received two years of probation known as accelerated rehabilitation. Conditions require him to pay $15,000 to North Haven’s emergency fuel fund within 90 days and do 200 hours of community service in a situation unrelated to where he has previously worked.

Patricia Ierardi must do 100 hours of community service. “The judge exercised courage and judicial independence in dealing with this political hot potato,” said Patricia Ierardi’s attorney, Tara Knight.

While a number of residents wrote letters to the court in support of the Ierardis, Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Alexy said they were “more a testimony to their reputation than their character. Character is when no one else is looking.”

The Ierardis declined comment on the outcome of the case.

They were charged in connection with a corruption scandal that helped end 36 years of Republican control of Town Hall. Democrats were in charge for two years, but Republicans won again in November. The new first selectman, Michael J. Freda, opposed accelerated rehabilitation “as a matter of principle,” according to Alexy.

Alexy prosecuted the case on behalf of the chief state’s attorney’s office, whose Public Integrity Bureau received complaints of how the Ierardis were using town money. The investigation began in late 2006 and is now completed.

During a 45-minute hearing before Matasavage in Superior Court, Alexy reviewed the facts, which included that two gift cards donated to the town for the needy went instead to Ierardi relatives. He also talked of a bogus travel voucher that Joseph Ierardi submitted, a voucher that was withheld from, and then presented to, investigators by former Finance Director Vincent Palmeri, who also was arrested in the case. He received accelerated rehabilitation last year.

Seated in the audience were members of the Ierardis’ families and supporters who included former Town Attorney Robert K. Ciulla and former Economic Development Commission Chairman Ralph Durante Sr. Attorney Carl M. Porto Sr. represented the town. He confirmed that the town opposed accelerated rehabilitation.

Joseph Ierardi’s attorney, Hugh F. Keefe of New Haven, noted that Ierardi was alleged to have stolen $3,700, which amounts to $740 a year for five years. “If ever there was a case perfectly designed for this statute, it’s this case,” Keefe said. Like Palmeri, Ierardi is in his 60s and has no prior record.

Keefe said he’s seen a lot of letters written on behalf of those accused of crimes, but didn’t recall as many from so many prominent people.

“These are the people of North Haven, officials of the town, major employers. The theme of the letters is pretty much the same... the unbelievable amount of public service Joe and Pat have contributed,” he said.

Ciulla spoke on behalf of Joseph Ierardi, saying that whether it was for youths, the seniors or sports, Ierardi was dedicated and loyal.

Knight said Patricia Ierardi had led an exemplary, but modest life. Evenings, family affairs and vacations were sometimes interrupted with town emergencies because she always was on call, Knight said.

“Accelerated rehabilitation should be granted in the midst of this highly public case. They lost the jobs that they loved, and were demonized in the press,” Knight said.

Matasavage said he has handled many accelerated rehabilitation applications, but never had received “so many letters for and against. It led me to wonder if we were talking about the same people. I came to the conclusion that there were political overtones in these matters.”

Fourteen letters in opposition were sent to the judge, according to Alexy.

Matasavage said the letters in favor of the Ierardis said they were great people who helped many, while those who opposed accelerated rehabilitation were from people who said that what they did was “very bad, harmful to the town, a peach of the public trust and a bad example to the town and children.”

“There’s no doubt this is a peach of the public trust,” said Matasavage.

Being mindful of the seriousness of the crimes and the amount taken, and also mindful of their prior service to the community and letters both pro and con, the judge said he would grant the probation.

Joseph Ierardi was charged with one count each of larceny, aiding larceny, forgery, tampering with a witness, tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution.

Patricia Ierardi was charged with larceny and tampering with a witness.

Peter Hvizdak/Register Patricia Ierardi, left, and her husband, Joseph Ierardi, center, leave Superior Court in Meriden Friday with attorney Hugh F. Keefe of New Haven. The Ierardis, both former North Haven municipal employees, were granted accelerated rehabilitation on larceny charges.