Connecticut Local Politics

DeLuca’s Swan Song

by CGG · November 15th, 2007, 10:33 am · 31 Comments

Tom Monahan, lobbing softball questions for 13 minutes, interviews the former State Senator for NBC 30. The video (which I can’t embed) is telling. DeLuca still doesn’t seem to understand what he did wrong. Also, it’s all the Hartford Courant’s fault! Seriously, he mentions the paper at least five times.

See the entire interview here.

Tags: Corruption · Lou DeLuca · Republicans

31 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Adam J. Schmidt // Nov 15, 2007 at 10:55 am ·

    While I agree the interview was rather easy on DeLuca he was able to cite a litany of past incidents where criminal actions by members of the State Legislature were excused as “personal issues.” It’s something that should be addressed in the future – with the scandals that have plagued Connecticut the past several years we should have clear ethics rules for our elected officials and equally clear enforcement mechanisms. Dealing with this scandals on an ad-hoc basis is unacceptable.

  • 2 toucan // Nov 15, 2007 at 11:01 am ·

    LIke his fellow whore & political friend, John Rowland, DeLuca dragged the whole affair along as long as he could at great expense to the tapxayer.

  • 3 toucan // Nov 15, 2007 at 11:06 am ·

    DeLuca: Controversy at a glance
    By:Journal Inquirer Staff
    11/14/2007

    hardly a “personal issue” as DeLuca and his supporters keep spinning. Woodbury has their Town Meeting Moderator now to be proud of —

    http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19023212&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6

  • 4 fresh // Nov 15, 2007 at 11:17 am ·

    i agree with adam…once and only when the state of ct addresses issues on a fair and equal playing field, regardless of political affiliation, can i be confident in our system…it isnt the delucas who make me shake my head it is the fact that legislators seem to pick and choose who they want to condemn on a when and if basis. that is disgraceful….but, the same ones who hoot and hollar about fairness and equity are the same ones whose actions are to the contrary….simply put, no credibility

    the phoniness of some the media hungary politicians and their high almighty sense of greatness is disgustingly had to stomach…don williams, susan bysiewicz, ed meyer just to name a few fit into this category…and no im not a republican, im a democrat….

  • 5 QTransSus // Nov 15, 2007 at 11:28 am ·

    As much as I have a problem with Lou, I also have a problem with the way that the Hartford Courant can pick him out of the “honey wagon” of state politics while so blithely unconcerned about all the other sights and smells.

    Instead, they prey for the next inevitable “son of Lou” story. Do your job, Courant!

  • 6 toucan // Nov 15, 2007 at 11:36 am ·

    As for his future, DeLuca said he would continue to speak out about issues that he cares about, including domestic violence.

    That statement enraged Colella, who has repeatedly declared that he is innocent of DeLuca’s charges that he was physically abusing his wife.

    “Why wouldn’t he speak out on corruption and crooked politicians?” Colella asked. “It’s better to step down instead of being the first senator to be thrown out.”

    http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-deluca1114.artnov14,0,5279861.story?page=2

  • 7 CT_Bob // Nov 15, 2007 at 11:56 am ·

    “…he would continue to speak out about issues that he cares about, including domestic violence.”

    Apparently, the only domestic violence in the entire incident was that which DeLuca planned for his grandson-in-law. I guess he’ll speak up against himself!

  • 8 toucan // Nov 15, 2007 at 12:12 pm ·

    My understanding of the plea deal is that Collella, as the victim of DeLuca’s alleged crime, had the right to give a victim impact statement at Deluca’s sentencing – he did attend but remained silent as DeLuca plead guilty, etc.

  • 9 Chris // Nov 15, 2007 at 12:13 pm ·

    While DeLuca certainly is at fault, something we’ve talked about ad-naseum n here, his point about the Courant taking quotes from Coella about attendance at his great grandson’s birthday party is understandable. Total tabloid garbarge with little relevance to the true story at hand.

  • 10 toucan // Nov 15, 2007 at 12:17 pm ·

    [quote comment="22496"]While DeLuca certainly is at fault, something we’ve talked about ad-naseum n here, his point about the Courant taking quotes from Coella about attendance at his great grandson’s birthday party is understandable. Total tabloid garbarge with little relevance to the true story at hand.[/quote]

    That’s baloney; DeLuca has in too many ways unjustifiably trashed Collela.

  • 11 sandy // Nov 15, 2007 at 2:51 pm ·

    [quote comment="22490"]As much as I have a problem with Lou, I also have a problem with the way that the Hartford Courant can pick him out of the “honey wagon” of state politics while so blithely unconcerned about all the other sights and smells.

    Instead, they prey for the next inevitable “son of Lou” story. Do your job, Courant![/quote]

    If you are suggesting that the Courant do an expose’ on Cappiello…I agree.

  • 12 CGG // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:02 pm ·

    [quote comment="22496"]While DeLuca certainly is at fault, something we’ve talked about ad-naseum n here, his point about the Courant taking quotes from Coella about attendance at his great grandson’s birthday party is understandable. Total tabloid garbarge with little relevance to the true story at hand.[/quote]

    The birthday party post went to far for sure. Really after awhile Collela wasn’t saying anything new. Colorful maybe, but not new or relevant.

  • 13 Weicker Liker // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:03 pm ·

    Sandy….

    What are you trying to say about David Cappiello?

    Cappiello seems to be an honest person.

  • 14 lamontcranston // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:45 pm ·

    I would love to know what Sandy has agains Cappiello.

  • 15 indy-ct // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:52 pm ·

    [quote comment="22509"]Sandy….

    Cappiello seems to be an honest person.[/quote]
    Thanks for the laugh. I needed that.

  • 16 Weicker Liker // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:56 pm ·

    You won’t be laughing when David Cappiello kicks Chris Murphy’s butt back to Cheshire next year.

    Murphy strikes me as a snake.

  • 17 sandy // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:58 pm ·

    [quote comment="22509"]Sandy….

    What are you trying to say about David Cappiello?

    Cappiello seems to be an honest person.[/quote]

    Weicker Liker, I know you have been one of Cappiello’s biggest supporters and defenders but 15K in bundled contributions from a guy that is a connected mobster is way more than once can imagine. Yes, Murphy unknowingly did receive a few adbook donations but $15,000 rises to a whole different level. I know you see no problem with it but I can’t trust someone that takes 15K from the mob. The honorable thing to do would be for Cappiello to step down.

  • 18 Weicker Liker // Nov 15, 2007 at 3:58 pm ·

    Nice to see State Employees are blogging on the taxpayers dime!!!

  • 19 Weicker Liker // Nov 15, 2007 at 4:04 pm ·

    Sandy….

    “Unknowingly” is a pretty convenient word to be using in the context of Chris Murphy!

    You also forget about the rather LARGE DONATION he accepted from a guy convicted of Murder.

    Was that another lapse on the part of Murphy?

    Why do you have such a “hard on” against David Cappiello?

  • 20 NECT // Nov 15, 2007 at 5:00 pm ·

    Sandy how do you spend so much time bashing Cappiello over something that is simply not there, when you should be spending more time attending to the people’s business of the 5th Congressional out of Murphy’s D.C. office or wait is it his district office in CT?

    I sometimes forget these things.

  • 21 Headless Horseman // Nov 15, 2007 at 5:09 pm ·

    Cappiello to step down? Buh- haw haw haw!

    Such assertions are never made from a position of strength. Clearly sandy fears Cappiello, or he/she would be indifferent, and not have to split hairs concerning Galante’s contributions to both he and Murphy…

  • 22 sandy // Nov 15, 2007 at 5:18 pm ·

    [quote comment="22515"]Sandy….

    “Unknowingly” is a pretty convenient word to be using in the context of Chris Murphy!

    You also forget about the rather LARGE DONATION he accepted from a guy convicted of Murder.

    Was that another lapse on the part of Murphy?

    Why do you have such a “hard on” against David Cappiello?[/quote]

    When Murphy accepted money, the guy was not a murderer. When Cappiello accepted the money Galante was a mobster. I don’t have a “hard on” as you say for Cappiello. I don’t trust elected leaders that take $15,000 in bundled contributions from people involved in the underworld.

  • 23 pharg // Nov 15, 2007 at 5:38 pm ·

    Sandy,

    Don’t you just love the Hypocracy? If Chris Murphy had accepted 15K bundled
    the Republican Party operatives above would be screaming for Murphy’s head. Well, at least it would give them new to scream about. But when a Republican does it, it’s OK. I hear alot of accusation of how dishonest he is, how he can’t be trusted, even the fake issue about Immigrant licenses and missed votes but never a mention about any specific votes or policy position. Weicker Liker, heres my prediction. Murphy wins with a minumum of 54 percent. Any bets?

  • 24 Paul // Nov 15, 2007 at 7:00 pm ·

    The interview is depressing.

    Deluca responded to a situation he thought was violent with violence. Imagine if the “visit” had actually happened. Things escalate and someone ends up dead. The character of the possible victim(s) in that scenario aside, imagine where we would be then.

    Sad, pathetic, deluded. This thing is not funny in so many ways.

  • 25 Al // Nov 15, 2007 at 9:09 pm ·

    pharg, Your comment:

    “Weicker Liker, heres my prediction. Murphy wins with a minumum of 54 percent. Any bets?”

    Not from me…….You may be correct, although I am certain Cappiello will be Murphy’s first real test. So I can easily understand your’s and Sandy’s concern…….. No one as of yet has tested Murphy’s lack of record. Johnson just tried to sling mud with an expert.

    I know you, and Sandy are lost causes, but for those of us who have learned Murphy is just an empty suit…….Well, the losers could again be those in the 5th district…..The good news is however if that is the case, Murphy won’t be moving back to Southington in the next two years as Weicker Liker in post #16 suggests. When Zeke Zalaski is an upgrade……….Well……..You do the math!!!!

  • 26 Weicker Liker // Nov 16, 2007 at 7:00 am ·

    Pharg….

    Chris Murphy cast three votes on the Driver’s License Issue while serving in the Senate.

    Vote # 1 (May 29, 2003, Amendment vote on SB 930)

    The amendment required that an I.D. or driver’s license issued to a legal immigrant be limited to the duration that the immigrant is authorized to remain in the U.S.

    It required Require training for DMV staff to recognize and verify documents showing proof of legal employment and lawful presence in the U.S.

    Murphy voted AGAINST this amendment

    Vote # 2 (May 11, 2005, Amendment to HB 5446)

    The amendment require that an I.D. or driver’s license issued to a legal immigrant be limited to the duration that the immigrant is authorized to remain in the U.S. (same as the 2003 amendment).

    It required training for DMV staff to recognize and verify documents showing proof of legal employment and lawful presence in the U.S. (same as the 2003 amendment).

    It also required applicants for commercial driver’s licenses to show proof of citizenship or lawful residence.

    Murphy voted AGAINST this amendment

    Vote # 3 (June 2, 2005, Amendment Vote to HB 6772)

    The Amendment requires the Connecticut DMV to use DHS’s system for verifying the legal status of a non-U.S. citizen applying for a driver’s license or I.D.

    Murphy voted AGAINST this amendment

    Based on those three votes, it does not seem to be a fake issue!

  • 27 indy-ct // Nov 16, 2007 at 8:49 am ·

    [quote comment="22514"]Nice to see State Employees are blogging on the taxpayers dime!!![/quote]Maybe it was lunch time.

  • 28 Weicker Liker // Nov 16, 2007 at 12:29 pm ·

    They still can’t use state resources or equipment for political purposes.

  • 29 QTransSus // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:22 pm ·

    I am heartened that so many people still think that it is worth discussing questionable contributions in the Fifth District.

    It must be hopeless for the First District that the whole “Larson 2 Larceny” connection between his office and the State Senate doesn’t draw any concern from anybody. Uncle Billy sure does put the “ass” in Ambassador!

  • 30 adamcs95 // Nov 16, 2007 at 4:28 pm ·

    Qtrans,
    Would you care to elaborate on what you’re talking about, or is it just wild unsubstantiated speculation?

  • 31 Weicker Liker // Nov 17, 2007 at 12:15 pm ·

    Qtrans,

    What are you talking about “Larson 2 Larceny?”

    Billy Cioto only makes about $12k per year as his “Ambassador”

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