Woman Admits Role In Bradley Campaign Fund Scheme: Feds

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A campaign volunteer has admitted her role in a scheme to obtain public funds for the 2018 State Senate campaign of Dennis A. Bradley, according to federal prosecutors.

Tina Manus, 42, of Stratford, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty Tuesday in Bridgeport federal court to a conspiracy charge in connection with the scheme, Acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Leonard C. Boyle announced in a news release.

Bradley, a Democrat who represents Bridgeport and Stratford, and his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, were charged in May on a federal indictment.

Manus was a campaign volunteer for the Bradley campaign in 2018.

“Between March and October 2018, Manus conspired with Bradley, his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, and others to defraud the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission (“SEEC”), the Citizens’ Election Fund, and the State of Connecticut by making misrepresentations concerning compliance with state election law and the requirements and restrictions of the Citizens’ Election Program (“CEP”), a voluntary public election-financing program under which candidates can apply to SEEC for grants to fund their primary and general election campaigns,” officials wrote in a news release.

Manus pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Manus, who has agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation, has been released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing, according to officials.

On May 24, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Bradley and Martinez with offenses related to Bradley’s 2018 run for State Senate. Each entered a plea of not guilty and is awaiting trial.