Ex-Connecticut Budget Official Charged with Bribery and Extortion

Kosta Diamantis, former deputy budget director, pleads not guilty to 22 federal charges involving contractors and school construction projects.

Diamantis is accused of demanding and receiving bribes from construction contractors between 2018 and 2021.
Three executives from two contractors have pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe Diamantis.
Diamantis resigned in October 2021 amid a misconduct investigation and is currently out on $500,000 bail.
Governor Lamont ordered an independent review of the school construction grant program following the allegations.
Diamantis maintains his innocence and has denied any wrongdoing.