Connecticut Postings

In testimony Wednesday, Randy Szkola told the jury in the James Botti corruption trial that the reason he began recording conversations with Shelton developers and city officials was an incident involving the then-chairman of the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission.
Botti, a 47-year-old Shelton developer is on trial for conspiracy, bribery and mail fraud.
Szkola, a Shelton Inland/Wetlands Commission member, said what “broke the camel’s back” was when his life was threatened by Joseph Pagliaro, zoning chairman. Pagliaro died in June 2004 in an accident outside his business, Riverview Funeral Home.
Szkola said a dispute broke out regarding a planned development by Shelton Savings Bank on land adjacent to his father in law’s property. At the time, Pagliaro was also the bank’s treasurer.
The bank’s plan was approved by the zoning board. Szkola said his family filed a lawsuit and a judge sided with his family and overturned the board’s decision.
Shortly after that, Szkola said Pagliaro “walked up to me and said ‘for all the time and trouble you cost us, you are lucky I didn’t have you killed.’”
Szkola said he immediately reported the threat to the FBI and immediately began reporting to them.
Among those Szkola recorded during a seven-year FBI investigation into municipal corruption in Shelton were developer Robert Scinto and Richard Schultz.
Dow, who is representing Botti, made that disclosure this morning to Senior U.S. District Judge Charles S. Haight, Jr. during a hearing outside the presence of the 16-member jury. Dow was seeking to question Szkola about those conversations.
Earlier, Szkola said he recorded a number of conversations over the past seven years. “To try to remember a single instance on a date it occurred is quite a task for anybody,” Szkola told the jury.
Szkola testified he called the FBI at least 300 times with information about Shelton corruption over his seven years of cooperation.
“I always joked with the guys (FBI) that they should pay my cell phone bill,” Szkola admitted today telling a federal grand jury during his Nov. 5, 2008 testimony. He also said that on some weeks he called the FBI as many as 20 times.
This is the third day of the Botti trial. Botti is also accused of bribing Mayor Mark A. Lauretti, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
—-By Michael P. Mayko

DERBY— The person who died in an early morning fire today on Derby Avenue has been identified as David Kostrey, 57.
Kostrey’s body was found in a room in the rear portion of his apartment on the second floor of a two-family house at 196 Derby Ave.
He died of smoke inhalation, according to a spokeswoman at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s office. The death was ruled accidental, she said.
A female, believed to be Kostrey’s sister, who also resided on the second floor, sustained minor burns and smoke inhalation and was taken to Griffin Hospital.
She has not been identified.
The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m., according to police and fire personnel.
Dave Kostrey was a member of the Greater Bridgeport Amateur Radio Club. A posting on the club’s Web site said he died after returning to the burning building to rescue his sister, Joann, and his dog. The dog also perished in the blaze.
The posting said he was an active member of the club and worked “hard for the Derby OEM” (Office of Emergency Management).
Frank E. Lazowski, who lives right next door, said he woke up to his daughter telling him she heard what appeared to be a “car crash” or an “explosion.” After his daughter woke him, Lazowski said he heard screaming and yelling coming from outside his home.
“I went into my daughter’s room, looked out her window, and saw flames coming from the attic window of the house,” said Lazowski.
Lazowski said a woman, her spouse, and a child living on the first floor of the engulfed home made it out just fine. He said he invited them into his home for safety.
Lazowski said the woman living on the second floor was able to make it out safely, but was frantic because she could not get to her brother, who lives on the second floor with her.
“I saw the firemen pull her brother out,” said Lazowski. “They immediately put him on a stretcher and rushed him into the ambulance.”

HARTFORD – Dannel P. Malloy, the former Stamford mayor who lost the 2006 Democratic primary for governor, made it official Tuesday afternoon, filing candidacy papers with state officials.
Emerging to cheers from about 150 people gathered on the sidewalk in front of the State Elections Enforcement Commission, Malloy pointed across the street at the Capitol and declared he’s ready to change state government.
“In so many issues, time and time again, we have failed the people of Connecticut,” he said, likening Connecticut government to running a major city. “It’s time that we have that kind of leadership in that building over there. It’s time for change.”
——By Ken Dixon

Bridgeport is preparing to sell 13 properties. The properties, most of which are vacant or considered blighted by city officials, are being put up for sale in hopes of both rehabbing the sites and adding to the city’s tax base.

The proposed sales have been referred to the City Council’s Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee. Full council approval is required to authorize the property sale.

Though a date for the sale has not been set, here’s what is expected to be on the block:

115 Dodd Ave., a lot
90 Gilmore St., a lot
216 Cloverhill St., a lot
329 Hollister Ave., two-family house
33 Lee Ave., a lot
311 Pitt St., a lot
129 Washington Terr., a lot
156 Beach St., a lot
267 James St., a lot
145 Andover St., a lot
117 Andover St., a lot
308 Albion St., a lot
202 Hewitt St., a lot

 What is billed as a “Peaceful Rally for Bridgeport Education” will take place on the steps of city hall, from noon to 2 p.m., Monday, March 22, organizers said.

 Prophetess Gerry Claytor said everyone is invited. The group is hoping to draw at least 100 participants. Details to follow.