Multiple Felonies—

Two Ex-Police Arrested On Theft Charges

By Andrew Gorosko

Danbury police this week arrested two former Newtown police officers on larceny and conspiracy charges, alleging that they had embezzled more than $180,000 overall from the Newtown Police Union’s financial accounts during a more than three-year period while they both served as union officials.

Former police sergeant Domenic Costello and former patrol officer Andrew Stinson surrendered and were arrested Wednesday morning at the Danbury police station after they learned that police held Superior Court warrants for their arrests. Investigators allege that each man stole more than $90,000 from the police union.

Costello and Stinson formerly had served as the police union’s treasurer and president, respectively. Both men resigned as Newtown police officers earlier this year, without stating their reasons for resigning.

Costello, 33, of Stratford was 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.

Stinson, 34, of Watertown was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny; three counts first-degree larceny; one count of second-degree larceny; and one count of third-degree larceny.

After arrest processing, Danbury police released both men from custody on written promises to appear for court arraignments on March 25.

“The arrests stem from an investigation that began on October 15, 2010, when officials and members of the Newtown Police Union informed the chief of police that after a preliminary review of their financial records, their review had discovered financial irregularities. The irregularities involved unaccounted checks, cash, and funds within the Newtown Police Union treasury,” Police Chief Michael Kehoe said in a statement.

Newtown police opened a criminal investigation regarding the financial irregularities within the Newtown Police Union, Chief Kehoe said. Danbury police were contacted and they agreed to take the lead in the criminal investigation, assisted by a Newtown police detective.

Costello and Stinson were placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation progressed, before eventually resigning their posts.

Town financial documents indicate that while working as a police officer, Costello received an overall police payment of $86,586 for the 2009-10 fiscal year, and that Stinson received an overall payment of $83,842 for that fiscal year. Those amounts reflect the men’s base salaries, overtime pay, private duty pay, and miscellaneous police-related income.

The police investigation alleges that Costello and Stinson converted police union funds “for their own personal use in amounts that exceed $90,000 per individual,” Chief Kehoe said. The theft of these funds occurred during a period exceeding three years, he said.

Attorney John R. Gulash, Jr, representing Mr Costello, said of his client, “He was fully cooperative with the investigation.” The lawyer declined to expand on that statement.

In a statement on the arrests of Costello and Stinson, current Newtown Police Union President Scott Ruszczyk said, “The money that is missing comes from over 40 years of fundraising and investments. It is used to make donations to worthy causes, as well as the operating costs for the union.

“The police union would like to make it clear that no union funds or assets were utilized in defending either suspect,” he added.

“This has been an exceptionally difficult year for the union. Not only was the faith entrusted in the police department violated, but the brotherhood and the sisterhood that we share with each other was betrayed by two of its members. The support that we have received from the community has been both reassuring and appreciated,” he said.

Both Stinson and Costello had prominent roles at the police department.

Stinson joined the police department in July 2001. As the police department’s dog handler, he often demonstrated German shepherd Baro’s skills to various community groups. Last year, Stinson received a certificate of commendation from Newtown police for his aid in the Watertown police’s arrest of a man who had stolen a computer from a store in Watertown. Stinson received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University in 1998.

Costello became a town police officer in October 2003. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in May 2009. A former school resource officer, Costello conducted the police department’s Citizen Police Academy, an informational program that explains local law enforcement in the context of the criminal justice system. Costello holds a law degree.