Larceny/Conspiracy—

Talks Seek To Resolve Theft Cases Against Ex-Police

DANBURY — In seeking to resolve companion criminal cases pending against two former Newtown police officers accused of stealing large sums of money from the Newtown Police Union, defense lawyers for the two ex-police, a prosecutor, and a judge met for a second supervised pretrial conference at Danbury Superior Court on February 10.

The closed-door conference did not produce a resolution of the cases. A third conference is scheduled for February 24 at court. At such sessions, possible plea agreements to resolve cases are discussed.

Andrew Stinson, 35, of Watertown, and Domenic Costello, 34, of Stratford, each are charged with multiple felonies stemming from their alleged theft of funds from the police union’s financial accounts.

Both ex-police have pleaded not guilty to all felonies that are pending against them. Both men have elected to have jury trials. They both are free on written promises to appear in court.

The February 10 conference brought together attorney James Diamond, representing Mr Stinson, and attorney John Gulash, Jr, who represents Mr Costello, as well as State’s Attorney Stephen J. Sedensky III, and Judge John Blawie. An initial conference was held on January 18.

Mr Sedensky said this week, “The discussions are continuing, and we have not reached any impasses yet.”

“It’s proceeding at a reasonable pace through the system,” he added. In such cases, there is much paperwork evidence to be reviewed.

The talks underway are similar to the talks which would he held in seeking to resolve other court cases involving financial crimes, Mr Sedensky said.

Mr Sedensky noted that in such cases, the restitution of missing funds is an issue.

In Courtroom 3 on February 10, Mr Diamond told Judge Blawie that his client, Mr Stinson, wants to have his case resolved soon.

After court, Mr Gulash, representing Mr Costello, said, “It would be inappropriate to comment…It’s continued for further discussions.”

Those involved in the court conferences are making a “good faith” effort to resolves the cases, Mr Gulash said.

After court, Mr Diamond said, “We’re getting closer to resolving the matter.”

Both Messrs Stinson and Costello have declined to comment on their pending criminal cases.

The February 10 court appearances marked the 13th time that Mr Stinson’s and Mr Costello’s names have appeared on the court docket since their criminal arraignments last spring.

According to court documents, approximately $187,307 was stolen from police union accounts by the two men. Of that sum, Mr Stinson is listed as being responsible for $95,668 of the missing money, and Mr Costello for $91,639 of the missing funds.

Mr Stinson is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, three counts of first-degree larceny, one count of second-degree larceny, and one count of third-degree larceny.

Mr Stinson, an ex-patrol officer and police dog handler, formerly was the police union’s president.

Mr Costello is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, two counts of first-degree larceny, one count of accessory to first-degree larceny, and one count of third-degree larceny.

Mr Costello, an ex-sergeant, formerly served as the police union’s treasurer.

Arrest warrant affidavits in the two cases describe the police union’s October 2010 discovery that it was missing large sums of money due to illegitimate withdrawals from union’s financial accounts by the two former police officers.

Both police officers were put on paid administrative leave in October 2010 after the police union learned of the missing money.

During a police investigation, the two men explained that they had “borrowed” money from union accounts to cover personal expenses and that they intended to pay back the union.

“Both Stinson and Costello admitted that they did take out ‘personal loans’ to help with personal problems,” according to legal papers.

Following a five-month investigation, Danbury police charged Mr Stinson and Mr Costello with the multiple offenses last March. Danbury police conducted the probe on behalf of the Newtown Police Department.

Both men resigned their police positions before they were arrested on warrants at the Danbury police station.