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As he continues to fight allegations he abused Connecticut’s public campaign financing program in his bid to return to the legislature last year, ex-Democratic state Sen. Ernie Newton is also threatening to sue his accusers for violating his rights.

Newton’s attorney Thursday contacted various media outlets about the tactic.

“Our defense has taken a new posture,” said Darnell Crosland. “We’re putting together a federal lawsuit claiming civil rights violations.”

Crosland said he and Newton believe the state Elections Enforcement Commission went out of its way to hound Newton’s campaign, citing the outgoing EEC chairman’s opposition to giving Newton, who went to jail on federal corruption charges related to his Senate seat, a campaign grant.

“Ernie’s campaign was treated differently,” Crosland said.

He said he will be releasing more details.

The EEC declined to comment on possible litigation.

The threatened counter-suit should not surprise those who have followed Newton’s fall from and return to Bridgeport politics because he and his supporters have portrayed him as the victim/underdog fighting the establishment for the people.

Newton’s 2012 campaign was all about the idea that those in power are unwilling to forgive felons.

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By Anne M. Amato

OXFORD — An autopsy has determined that Curtiss R. Raymond died from carbon monoxide toxicity, according to a spokeswoman at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The manner of death was deemed “undetermined,” she added. That means it’s still unclear if the death was accidental or a suicide.

Raymond, 60, who was house-sitting for his brother in a Silano Drive home, was found dead on a couch Monday about 1 p.m. after he failed to show up for work.

Three dogs, his brother Garrett Raymond’s pets, were also found dead. High levels of CO were found inside the house, which is heated with propane forced air.

Raymond was last seen alive by a family friend who picked up Garrett Raymond’s 11-year old son on Saturday night to take him to a soccer game.

“The brother came out and said hello to him,” according to a source knowledgeable about the fatality. “He was probably the last one to see him alive.”

It was unclear how long Raymond had been dead before his body was discovered.

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BRIDGEPORT — The city’s Republican Town Committee has joined Facebook.

In a posting over the weekend, chairman John Slater welcomed visitors to the RTC’s page and announced that a website would be launched soon. “We will use this to update you on upcoming events, fundraisers as well as issues on the local, state and federal levels,” Slater wrote. “Both of these new outlets will help you learn about our candidates as well as our stances on everything Bridgeport.”

The group also posted some reasons why Democrats in the city have to go. A visit to the page shows it was originally launched in 2007, but there was only one post that year — a slideshow of their Lincoln Day Dinner.

The next post, a link to an article about Bridgeport being named one of the worst places for renters, was in 2011. There were four posts in 2012.

Bridgeport’s Democratic Town Committee does not have a website or a Facebook page.

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FAIRFIELD — A pedestrian was struck by a car at the intersection of Castle Avenue and Longfellow Avenue at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, police said.

An initial investigation indicates that a vehicle traveling north on Longfellow Avenue hit the pedestrian who was crossing the street. The pedestrian was transported to St. Vincents Medical Center.

 The identity of the victim and the driver was not available. Neither was the victim’s condition. The crash is under investigation.

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Congratulations to Home on the Range, Joseph’s Steakhouse, Barnum Publick House, Pho Saigon and Bloodroot.

You can read all the details at Connecticut Magazine.