— the town attorney under former Mayor April Capone — says she is stepping down from her position as the East Haven Board of Police Commission's independent counsel, according to a May 8 letter to Assistant Town Attorney .
The move ends the with the over Confrancesco serving as the for the board.
'Tortuously Interfered'
"I have withdrawn as counsel for the Board, despite the fact that I was retained by this Board to advise and represent them, and despite my understanding that they desire the continuation of my services," Cofrancesco wrote in her letter, which is posted in the gallery that accompanies this article.
She added that in forcing her withdrawal from serving as the commission's independent legal advisor, "you and the Maturo administration have tortuously interfered with the agreement for services I had with the Board."
"But I no longer wish to serve as a distraction from the important business the Police Commission must conduct on behalf of the Town," Cofrancesco wrote.
Individual Counsel
In her letter to Kolb, however, Cofrancesco notes she will continue to represent "three of the commissioners as individuals" as needed moving forward.
"And to the extent that they seek my advice during a recess during any hearing, that is their privilege," she stated in her letter. "If any portion of any hearing is open to public comment, then I will certainly state my position on any issue on which comment."
The attorney did not note which of the three board members she would continue to represent in an individual capacity.
'Lawyer's Code'
Kolb said he was satisfied with the result.
"I am extremely delighted that she has now decided not to interfere with the administration of justice and act in a manner consistent with the Lawyer’s Code of Professional Responsibility," Kolb said in an emailed statement to the press passed along with Cofrancesco's letter.
In a follow up statement to East Haven Patch, Kolb said he was glad Cofrancesco has "decided to do what is correct and allow the town to move forward in the administration of justice without improper influence based on political agendas intended to hinder the current administration and its administrators."
'Interests of the Town'
In her letter, however, Cofrancesco noted that as Kolb's predecessor as "counsel to the Board, I would remind you that your role is limited to advice."
"You cannot run the hearing for the Board, nor is the Board obliged to follow your advice," she stated. "I truly hope you will not politicize the conduct of business by the Board, and that you will put the interests of the Town above the interests of the Maturo administration in securing patronage positions for friends of the Maturo administration."
She stated that in her legal opinion, the crux of the issue regarding the police commission seeking legal advice "outside of the Town Attorney" is not whether or not the board may actually seek that advice — "but who pays for it."
"It is my opinion that the Board may obtain information, including legal advice, from any source, and then accept or reject such advice within the Board Members‘ discretion," Confrancesco wrote in her letter. "To hold othenrvise makes the Board something less than the independent body established by ."
'Just Cause' Hearing Cancelled
Late last month, Kolb cancelled the he had called that sought the removal of Police Commission Chairman Joseph Civtello, Vice-Chairman Carl Perez and commissioner Frank Piergrossi.
The — as the for former — had sent a letter April 4 to the three men, notifying them a hearing would be held April 17 to determine whether or not they should be removed from the board "for just cause."
Civtello, Perez and Piergrossi were members of the commission during the with former in the wake of the f into alleged civil rights abuses by East Haven Police officers.
The due cause hearing was then by Kolb from April 17 to May 1 in order to give the "board time to self-correct" at its then next regularly meeting April 24.
Commission Meeting Cancelled
That next meeting of the police commission, however, by Chairman Civitello. And Kolb followed suit shortly thereafter, May 1 hearing. No public reason was given as to why either meeting was called off.
East Haven Interim Police Chief has since urging him to hold a commission meeting as soon as possible to allow the board to make much-needed personnel decisions.
As of this morning, now new police commission meeting has yet been set.
