FAQ on the Bridgeport FBI probe

When did the FBI investigation into Bridgeport begin?

It’s not known exactly when the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office began looking into possible impropriety and corruption in Bridgeport, but it appears to have begun after the city investigated possible misappropriation of cash from the sale of scrap metal by the city’s Public Facilities Department.

City Police Chief Armando Perez notified the FBI of the investigation and the city conducted an internal probe of cash metal sales that led to disciplining city employees, including firing Deputy Public Facilities Director Joe Tiago and docking Public Facilities Director John Ricci a month’s pay.

Perez has said his department opened a case regarding the scrap metal claim and other alleged improprieties after city council members last fall received an anonymous letter outlining alleged improper behavior by city officials, including how scrap metal sales were handled.

What is the FBI looking into?

With approval from a Grand Jury, the FBI in on Feb. 4, 2019, issued a subpoena to the city for a variety of records. The request sought all files, emails and other correspondence related to Vaz Quality Works, G. Pic & Sons Construction and Seaview Equipment Sales and Rentals, which is owned by Luis Vaz, owner of Vaz Quality Works. The FBI requested records dating back to January 2015, which covers Mayor Joe Ganim’s tenure in office.

Vaz and G. Pic have received millions from the city over the years for a variety of work. Vaz built the city’s $3.5 million public facilities garage on Housatonic Avenue and G. Pic has...

from News https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/FAQ-on-the-Bridgeport-FBI-probe-13807989.php