Enfield Official Placed on Paid Administrative Leave

ENFIELD, CT — The town's director of community development was abruptly placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday, according to documents obtained by patch under the Freedom of Information Act.

Peter Bryanton received notice from director of human resources Steve Bielenda in a letter dated Feb. 20, which read in part, "Please be advised that, effective immediately, this letter serves as written notice that the Town of Enfield has placed you on administrative leave with pay pending further notice. Should circumstances change and warrant, the Town reserves its right to modify your status to an unpaid administrative leave."

Bryanton was originally hired by the town of Enfield on March 1, 2004, and assumed his current position on Aug. 26, 2013. His current salary is $93,350.93, Bielenda said.

Bryanton formerly served as treasurer on the board of directors of the maligned Enfield Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit group which oversees redevelopment projects in town, primarily in the Thompsonville section. He was one of three board members who terminated executive director Darrin LaMore and assistant director Bob LeMay in Oct. 2015 amid allegations of financial mismanagement.

On Friday, LaMore was charged in a U.S. federal court in New Haven with theft from a program receiving federal funds, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

According to John Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, "From June 2012 to October 2015, LaMore conspired with an employee of the town of Enfield to falsify invoices and divert funds intended for economic development in Enfield and apply them to LaMore's salary. Through this scheme, LaMore stole more than $95,000 from the ECDC."

Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said the investigation is ongoing.

Photo credit: Tim Jensen