Fairfield Official Accused Of Taking Bribes Is Placed On Leave

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Fairfield official accused of taking bribes from a company in a legal battle with the town has been placed on administrative leave. Superintendent of Public Works Scott Bartlett is on leave pending the outcome of a police investigation into whether Julian Development illegally transported and dumped contaminated material on Fairfield property, the town announced Tuesday in a statement.

The company was hired by Fairfield in 2013 to manage the public works yard and reduce the size of the fill pile on Richard White Way, according to the statement and reports from the Connecticut Post. In 2016, contaminants were found on the site in violation of Julian Development's contract, which led to legal action against the company. The fill pile also tripled in size, according to the Post. Fairfield is seeking $3 million in damages and claiming breach of contract, the Post has reported.

First Selectman Mike Tetreau also asked police to review the situation, according to the statement. Law enforcement recently raided Julian Development's Meadow Street offices, the Post has reported. A search warrant application for the offices stated that officials believed they would find evidence of a conspiracy to commit environmental crimes and larceny between Bartlett and Julian personnel, according to the Post. The application referenced statements from town employees suggesting Bartlett received benefits from the company for himself or his son, who works for Julian Development.

An attorney representing the company did not immediately provide a response to the town's statement. Attempts to reach Bartlett were not immediately successful.

The criminal investigation is ongoing, according to the statement, and is being handled by the state's attorney.

"I believe anyone contaminating our soil or any Town property should be held responsible and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I want to make it clear to anyone doing business with the Town that this conduct will not be tolerated,” Tetreau stated.

State Rep. Brenda Kupchick, R-District 132, who is running against Tetreau, a Democrat, in the November race for first selectman, called for Bartlett to be placed on leave Monday night.