Assessor's Office Staffer Under Investigation, Put On Paid Leave

EAST HAVEN, CT - In a letter obtained by Patch dated Tuesday, the town’s human resources director placed an employee in the tax assessor’s office on paid administrative leave pending the “conclusion of an investigation concerning workplace issues.”

Patch reached out to Town Attorney Michael Luzzi for comment. Luzzi said given it is an “ongoing investigation and a personnel matter it would be inappropriate to comment.”

When asked if this investigation is tied to an existing investigation town officials confirmed earlier this year following the resignation of longtime tax assessor Mike Milici, Luzzi also declined to comment save to confirm “that investigation is still active.”

In March, as reported by Patch, an investigation into Milici was launched by the town for "workplace matters.” In April, Milici submitted a request to retire. At the time, town officials said there were two active investigations under way; one related Milici’s announcement to the town’s finance board that members of his staff worked overtime without being paid, the other officials wold not describe nor comment on.

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In the letter to employee Kirstin Franzman, East Haven assistant director of administration —and the town's human resources director —Michelle Benivegna wrote that among the matters being probed are “issues related to claims that you gained unauthorized access to a computer and took numerous unauthorized actions.”

Franzman is “directed not to report to work, perform any work or conduct any business” for the town unless she’s directed to answer questions by interim tax assessor David Ambrose. She’s also cautioned to “not retaliate against any town employee or hinder or attempt to hinder the investigation and/or influence the statements made by employees if interviewed."

The investigation is being conducted by Assistant Town Attorney David Ryan, who has declined comment.