Former Enfield Non-Profit Executive Director Arrested

ENFIELD, CT — The former executive director of the Enfield Community Development Corporation (ECDC) was arrested Friday on federal charges connected to an investigation involving stealing more than $95,000 from the organization.

Darrin LaMore, 47, of Enfield, appeared Feb. 16 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and was charged with theft from a program receiving federal funds, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. He was released on $25,000 bail, according to John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Enfield Police Chief Carl Sferrazza.

As alleged in court documents, LaMore was the executive director of the ECDC, a non-profit corporation that oversees economic development projects in Enfield, primarily in the Thompsonville section of the town. Among the projects was the purchase of the former casket building on North River Street. The ECDC is supported with federal funds administered by the State of Connecticut, Durham said.

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, Durham said.

The investigation is ongoing, and is being conducted by the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force, notably the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Enfield Police Department. The Task Force also includes members from the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Durham said.

Photo credit: Tim Jensen