In early March we ran a report headlined “Fedele Defends Need for Security: Trooper Made $142K Last Year.”
The story, which I wrote, focused on the fact that part-time Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele of Stamford is, besides the Governor, the only other state official assigned a state trooper.
That trooper – Massimo Delia, who grew up in Stamford – earned $142,888.05 last year, the most of the 11 officers assigned the Governor’s office.
During a chat Fedele conducted earlier this year on the Connecticut Local Politics blog someone questioned the need for the expense.
Other constitutional officers and legislators who are in positions to make more controversial policy decisions than Fedele receive only occasional security.
In an interview for the story Fedele – who is not the first Lt. Governor in Connecticut to have a driver – told me he has been the subject of unspecified threats since taking office in early 2007.
“It’s very disturbing when it does occur,” Fedele said. “I’m glad these folks (his driver) are around to be there in case things occur … I can tell you, having read some of the threats that have come my way, they’re concerning to me.”
I bring this up now because of today’s announcement by state police of the arrest of a New Jersey man for sending Fedele threatening e-mails in December.
Fedele issued a statement today on the arrest.
“I cannot comment on the details of an ongoing criminal investigation. However, I can say that in this day and age all threats must be taken seriously and acted upon accordingly,” he said. “My family and I are grateful to the Connecticut State Police for their hard work investigating this incident and apprehending the individual in question.”
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