3 East Haven Town Staff On Leave Amid Double-Dipping Probe

EAST HAVEN, CT — Twenty-seven East Haven municipal union employees were paid full wages by the town while not working during the coronavirus pandemic. Three of those 27 are now accused of collecting unemployment benefits and they were placed on paid administrative leave.

Town Attorney Michael Luzzi told Patch the town learned two employees may have collected unemployment benefits during a period of time the town continued to pay them their full wages. They were both then placed on paid leave May 8. Luzzi said an investigation is underway.

The same day they were put on leave, the town was "informed that a third employee is also alleged to have collected unemployment benefits during the period of time that the Town paid full this employee full wages," Luzzi said.

On Monday, that employee too was placed on paid administrative leave pending a full investigation.

Luzzi said the three employees are members of Local 1303-119 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Luzzi declined to elaborate further "on this personnel matter."