Former Probation Officer from Meriden Sentenced in Bribery Case

MERIDEN, CT - A 38-year-old Meriden resident and former state probation officer was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison - and three years of probation - in connection with a bribery case in which a father paid to try to end his daughter's probation, according to prosecutors.

Alphah East pleaded guilty in March to one count of Bribe Receiving, and was sentenced in Stamford Superior Court by Judge Referee Richard F. Comerford, Jr. to five years in prison, suspended after 18 months.

According to police reports and court documents, East, took a $5,000 check from the father of a woman East had been supervising on probation.

"In return for the money, East promised to have the woman’s remaining probation terminated," according to prosecutors.

All told, East was accused of "receiving a total of $13,500 from the father before the man’s attorney complained to the Chief State’s Attorney, who initiated the undercover operation where the $5,000 transaction was recorded."

In addition to the prison term and probation, East also has to pay the father $13,500 in restitution.

The case was investigated by Inspectors from the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney assisted by the Norwalk Police Department. It was prosecuted by the Statewide Prosecution Bureau.