Ex-Danbury Candidate Repays Campaign Funds Used For Clothes, Other Expenses

DANBURY, CT — A former Danbury state House candidate has reimbursed more than $1,700 following a state investigation into spending from her publicly financed 2024 campaign.

Melissa Santana, who unsuccessfully challenged state Rep. Bob Godfrey in the 2024 Democratic primary for the 110th House District, agreed to reimburse the State Elections Enforcement Commission $1,769.20, the News-Times reported.

The commission unanimously approved separate consent agreements involving Santana and her former campaign treasurer, Anna C. Nicolin, during its Aug. 5 meeting, according to SEEC records.

The reimbursement included $500 spent at Macy's on clothing and $1,269.20 connected to a security deposit for the campaign's Danbury office.

Nicolin told investigators the Macy's purchase was for suits, shirts and pants Santana needed for a campaign photo shoot, according to the report.

Investigators also found Nicolin was not registered to vote and therefore was ineligible to serve as campaign treasurer. Nicolin agreed to pay a $600 civil penalty.

Santana's campaign received more than $36,000 through Connecticut's Citizens' Election Program, which provides public financing to qualifying candidates.

Santana lost the August 2024 Democratic primary to Godfrey.