Gov. Ned Lamont subpoenaed to potentially testify in federal trial of former state deputy budget director

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — A subpoena for the testimony of Gov. Ned Lamont has been served at the Office of the Attorney General of Connecticut in relation to the bribery trial of Lamont’s former state deputy budget director, Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis.

Norm Pattis, the defense attorney for Diamantis, has requested Lamont’s testimony and described the subpoena as akin to an “insurance policy” in the event he chooses to actually call the governor to the stand.

“Mr. Diamantis will testify, and then we will see what is necessary thereafter,” Pattis said.

“We have accepted service on behalf of the Governor and will respond accordingly,” said Elizabeth Benton, spokesperson for Connecticut’s attorney general.

The governor can motion to quash the subpoena.

Federal prosecutors allege that Diamantis demanded and received thousands of dollars in bribes from contractors hired for school construction projects between 2018 and 2021.

The 69-year-old was charged with 22 counts, including two counts of extortion, two counts of bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and 14 counts of making a false statement. Diamantis was arrested last year and has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The charges are tied to his previous role as director of the Connecticut Office of School Construction Grants and Review. The indictment alleges that Diamantis demanded and received bribes from Acranom, a masonry contractor in Middlefield, as well as from the company’s president and vice president. Diamantis also allegedly used his official position to obtain and maintain contracts for them for state-funded school construction projects.

The 35-page indictment further alleges he demanded and received bribes from the owner of Construction Advocacy Professionals, or CAP, to assist CAP in obtaining contracts to provide construction administrator and related services on construction projects.

In the fall of 2021, Lamont’s office was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury seeking documents related to the school construction program that funds hundreds of millions of dollars in projects statewide.

Diamantis was the deputy secretary at Connecticut’s Office of Policy Management until he was placed on paid administrative leave in October 2021. On the same day, he submitted a letter of resignation and his retirement.

Thursday marks day four of Diamantis’ trial.