Stewart Suspends Campaign For Governor Amid Probe Into Credit Card Use

Republican Erin Stewart announced Thursday she is immediately suspending her campaign for state Governor.

The announcement comes amid scrutiny about Stewart’s city-issued credit card use while she served as mayor of New Britain.

State police on Thursday confirmed a formal investigation is underway.

“The continued allegations from New Britain City Hall have understandably taken over this race and diverted attention away from the critical mission of saving our state from high taxes, high costs, the most expensive energy in America, and low opportunity for young people,” Stewart said, in the announcement.

Stewart said she takes the allegations against her very seriously, and she is suspending her campaign so she can focus on addressing those claims.

“Yesterday I requested copies of the relevant documents and I will be reviewing them carefully,” she said. “I will take accountability for any mistakes, and I intend to make full and complete restitution to the City of New Britain - my home - for anything that I owe.”

Stewart called it a “difficult” decision to suspend her campaign, and she expressed confidence she would have been able to defeat incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont in November.

According to Stewart, she is now supporting Sen. Ryan Fazio, who is seeking to secure the Republican party’s nomination to run for Governor.

“This is the time for our party to come together and spend the next six months focused squarely on electing Republicans up and down the ballot,” Stewart said. “It is my intention not only to suspend my campaign but also to step back from public life as I do what is necessary to address these questions and make things right.”

“I cannot change the past, but I can make the next right decision - and this is it,” she added.

The Connecticut State Police on Thursday confirmed an investigation into Stewart’s city-issued credit card use.

According to a state police spokesperson, the Division of Criminal Justice received a complaint, and the Connecticut State Police was subsequently asked to investigate.

The Central District Major Crime Squad has initiated an investigation into the matter, the spokesperson said.

“All publicly available documents are within the scope of the State Police investigation,” state police said.

Police declined to comment further.

Current New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez’s office on Thursday released a 74-page report from Crumbie Law Group LLC, which conducted an independent investigation.

“According to the report, taxpayer-funded city credit cards were allegedly used for personal purchases, family expenses, political-related activity, private club memberships, clothing, gifts, travel, and other non-government purposes over the course of nearly a decade,” the mayor’s office said.

According to the mayor’s office, the findings were referred to both the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for review and any law enforcement action deemed appropriate.

“The City will be pursuing all appropriate legal avenues to recover taxpayer funds wherever possible, including seeking restitution from the former mayor for any improper or unauthorized expenditures identified through this investigation,” the mayor’s office said, in an announcement Thursday.

According to the law firm’s report, Stewart used her card to fund routine living expenses “that bore no legitimate connection to official city business.”

It gives examples such as household items, groceries, makeup and other women’s toiletries, women’s clothing and undergarments, alcohol, jewelry, and gifts for herself, her children, and her husband.