Thomas Gaffey
Encyclopedia
Thomas P. Gaffey is an American politician
. Gaffey, a Democrat
, had been a state senator
from Connecticut
since 1995, but left office due to criminal violations on January 5, 2011.
Gaffey, a resident of Meriden
, has represented the towns of Cheshire
, Meriden, Middlefield
and Middletown
in the Connecticut Senate.
Gaffey was born in Meriden and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University
. He was appointed in the fall of 2005 to serve as Chief Deputy Majority Leader by Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney
and Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr., and previously served in the position.
Gaffey also serves as an executive with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority
. http://www.tomgaffey.com/about/default.asp In 2002, he was linked to meetings with failed energy firm Enron
. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4099654&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6 He was also cited that year for spending over $10,000 in personal expenses on his authority expense account, and failing to make timely reimbursement, but later issued a CRRA check for more than $1,600 to repay amounts reimbursed in excess. http://www.conntact.com/archive_index/archive_pages/15_Business_New_Haven.html
In January 2009 the Hartford Courant announced state auditors were looking into other instances of improper reimbursement by Gaffey, including double billing of out of state travel to both the state government and his political action committee. http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hcu-gaffey-0115,0,4540366.story On January 18, the Courant urged the State Senate to censure Gaffey for his ethical improprieties. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-gaffey.art.artjan18,0,6030879.story
On May 6, 2009, the State Election Enforcement Commission announced that Gaffey and his campaign treasurer had agreed to a settlement over the double billing complaint. In one of the largest fines levied by the Commission, Gaffey agreed to a $6,000 fine and his treasurer agreed to a $3,000 fine. Gaffey also agreed to dissolve his political action committee
and forfeit its $20,000 balance to the state. The commission's enforcement director called Gaffey's record keeping "disastrous". http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-web-gaffey-doubledip-fine-0507may07,0,1497210.story The charges later led to a criminal investigation and Gaffey's resignation. http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-gaffey-guilty-plea-0104-20110103,0,4867968.story
In 2006 Gaffey supported legislation spearheaded by fellow Democrat Donald Williams intended to address childhood obesity in Connecticut. The legislation was however derided by opponents as the "cupcake bill." As of August 2008, more than 63% of eligibile school districts have enrolled in the program.
In March 2008 New Haven schools enforced this policy by suspending an eighth grader for selling a classmate skittles. http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-12055344.apds.m0833.bc-ct--skitmar12,0,6101591.story In May 2008, a principal in Greenwich was suspended in a dispute over bringing cupcakes to school. http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-30110731.apds.m0339.bc-ct--cupcmay30,0,147001.story
In 2007 Gaffey proposed that the Governor's power to appoint the Commissioner of Education be limited. Allies of Governor Jodi Rell
labelled the proposal an attempted power grab. That year Gaffey also opposed efforts to increase education aid to suburban school districts, even those represented by fellow Democrats, in favor of adding more funds to urban districts. His response to complaints from suburban legislators was "Like everything else in those districts, that is rich!" http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-education0331.artmar31,0,7288560.story?track=rss Gaffey has also clashed with leaders of his local school board over the installation of artificial turf. http://www.record-journal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18198945&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6
In November 2007 Gaffey suggested that the state had to impose a more stringent school integration plan on suburbs in the Hartford region. "The notion that we're going to get a better result by voluntary programs is ridiculous," said state Sen. Thomas Gaffey, D-Meriden, co-chairman of the legislature's education committee. "We need to shift away from the model of remedy that the state has been pursuing for years. The district is as racially isolated today as it was 10 years ago. It suggests you need to do something different." http://www.courant.com/news/education/hc-sheff1105.artnov05,0,2213459.story
Another Gaffey initiative was a bill that banned most out-of-school suspensions. Educators were unsure how they could comply with the law. http://www.zwire.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18755273&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6
In 2008 Gaffey did break with party leadership to support a Three Strikes Law
to give life sentences to career violent criminals supported by Governor M. Jodi Rell
; perhaps as the town of Cheshire is in his district and its 2007 home invasion
prompted the bill.
Thomas P. Gaffey was the father of three children. His son, Thomas M. Gaffey died on February 2, 2009, at the age of 16. http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2009/02/03/news/doc498908a90abde821561774.txt In 2005 the Connecticut Appellate Court denied the Senator's ex-wife's request for increased child support. http://www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/Cases/AROap/AP91/91AP467.pdf All three grew up in Meriden, Connecticut. Thomas P. Gaffey has a mother Joyce and a father Marty, who was in the war.
and Republican State Chairman Chris Healy demanded an investigation into whether Gaffey's conduct violated state ethics rules. http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hc-gaffey1204.artdec04,0,5407593.story?coll=hc_tab01_layout The Democratic senate caucus was split on the need to investigate, with Fairfield County Democrats Andrew McDonald
and Bob Duff suggesting an investigation was needed, http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nickerson7dec05,0,6573355.story while Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr.
flatly rejected the idea. http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctnogaffeyprobe1206.artdec06,0,1830720.story On December 7, the Hartford Courant's editorial page called on Gaffey to be censured for his role in this affair,
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-gaffey.artdec07,0,6564320.story despite a letter from the Office of State Ethics refuting all conflict of interest allegations.
Both Gaffey and Rennie had stories in the December 9, 2007, Courant. Gaffey said there had been nothing improper in his relationship with the university lobbyist, citing his record of support for state colleges. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/op_ed/hc-gaffey1209.artdec09,0,2907978.story Rennie's article alleged self-dealing by Gaffey, including getting Final Four
basketball tickets from the university at a low price and using his political action committee
to pay personal expenses. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/columnists/hc-rennie1209.artdec09,0,810870.column
On December 11, Democratic senators proposed ethics reforms for the legislature. They denied it was done in response to the Gaffey scandal. http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2007/12/11/senate-dems-plan-on-ethics On December 14, Gaffey asked Williams to be reassigned off the committee responsible for oversight of CSU. http://www.myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19116343&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592708&rfi=6 One Democratic senator, Edith Prague, defended Gaffey, asserting "He didn't steal anything". http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2007/12/sen-edith-pragu.html
Republican Tim Lenox is challenging Gaffey in the November 2008 election http://www.myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19717029&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592708&rfi=6 but was defeated by Gaffey. Following the election, Gaffey's ally, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr.
, removed Senator Joan Hartley
from chairmanship of the Higher Education Committee, a move viewed as retaliation for opposing Gaffey's bonding proposals. http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/12/26/opinion/387852.txt
, the GAFPAC. Gaffey ran for re-election in 2010 and despite the scandal, defeated Republican Len Suzio.
After the election the State's Attorney's office continued its investigation into whether Gaffey violated criminal statutes. On January 3, 2011 Gaffey was arrested for larceny.http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-gaffey-guilty-plea-0104-20110103,0,4867968.story He resolved the criminal charges by agreeing to plead guilty to a misdeameanor, resign his state senate seat effective January 5, 2011, and serve 100 hours of community service. On January 5, 2011 Gaffey submitted his resignation to Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz
and submitted his plea to Superior Court Judge Julia Dewey, who accepted the plea agreement.
Politics of the United States
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States , Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments.The executive branch is headed by the President...
. Gaffey, a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, had been a state senator
Connecticut Senate
The Connecticut State Senate is the upper house of the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The state senate comprises 36 members, each representing a district with around 94,600 inhabitants. Senators are elected to two-year terms without term limits...
from Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
since 1995, but left office due to criminal violations on January 5, 2011.
Gaffey, a resident of Meriden
Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 59,653.-History:...
, has represented the towns of Cheshire
Cheshire, Connecticut
Cheshire is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 28,543 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Connecticut is located in Cheshire. In 2009 Cheshire was ranked 72 in Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live.Likewise, in 2011 Cheshire was ranked 73 in...
, Meriden, Middlefield
Middlefield, Connecticut
Middlefield is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,203 at the 2000 census. The town includes the village of Rockfall-History:...
and Middletown
Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
in the Connecticut Senate.
Gaffey was born in Meriden and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University is one of four state universities in Connecticut, and is located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut...
. He was appointed in the fall of 2005 to serve as Chief Deputy Majority Leader by Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney
Martin Looney
Martin M. Looney is an American politician. Looney, a Democrat, has been a state senator from Connecticut since 1993. Since 2004, Looney has served as Majority Leader of the Senate....
and Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr., and previously served in the position.
Gaffey also serves as an executive with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority
Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority
Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority is a collective of area towns and cities for the single-source recycling processing and sale of recyclable waste. It oversees the operation of four of the state's six trash-to-energy plants. The plants are located in Hartford, Bridgeport, Wallingford and...
. http://www.tomgaffey.com/about/default.asp In 2002, he was linked to meetings with failed energy firm Enron
Enron
Enron Corporation was an American energy, commodities, and services company based in Houston, Texas. Before its bankruptcy on December 2, 2001, Enron employed approximately 22,000 staff and was one of the world's leading electricity, natural gas, communications, and pulp and paper companies, with...
. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=4099654&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6 He was also cited that year for spending over $10,000 in personal expenses on his authority expense account, and failing to make timely reimbursement, but later issued a CRRA check for more than $1,600 to repay amounts reimbursed in excess. http://www.conntact.com/archive_index/archive_pages/15_Business_New_Haven.html
In January 2009 the Hartford Courant announced state auditors were looking into other instances of improper reimbursement by Gaffey, including double billing of out of state travel to both the state government and his political action committee. http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hcu-gaffey-0115,0,4540366.story On January 18, the Courant urged the State Senate to censure Gaffey for his ethical improprieties. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-gaffey.art.artjan18,0,6030879.story
On May 6, 2009, the State Election Enforcement Commission announced that Gaffey and his campaign treasurer had agreed to a settlement over the double billing complaint. In one of the largest fines levied by the Commission, Gaffey agreed to a $6,000 fine and his treasurer agreed to a $3,000 fine. Gaffey also agreed to dissolve his political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
and forfeit its $20,000 balance to the state. The commission's enforcement director called Gaffey's record keeping "disastrous". http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-web-gaffey-doubledip-fine-0507may07,0,1497210.story The charges later led to a criminal investigation and Gaffey's resignation. http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-gaffey-guilty-plea-0104-20110103,0,4867968.story
In 2006 Gaffey supported legislation spearheaded by fellow Democrat Donald Williams intended to address childhood obesity in Connecticut. The legislation was however derided by opponents as the "cupcake bill." As of August 2008, more than 63% of eligibile school districts have enrolled in the program.
In March 2008 New Haven schools enforced this policy by suspending an eighth grader for selling a classmate skittles. http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-12055344.apds.m0833.bc-ct--skitmar12,0,6101591.story In May 2008, a principal in Greenwich was suspended in a dispute over bringing cupcakes to school. http://www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-30110731.apds.m0339.bc-ct--cupcmay30,0,147001.story
In 2007 Gaffey proposed that the Governor's power to appoint the Commissioner of Education be limited. Allies of Governor Jodi Rell
Jodi Rell
Mary Jodi Rell is a Republican politician and was the 87th Governor of the U.S. state of Connecticut from 2004 until 2011. She was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut under Governor John G. Rowland, who resigned during a corruption investigation. Rell is Connecticut's second female Governor,...
labelled the proposal an attempted power grab. That year Gaffey also opposed efforts to increase education aid to suburban school districts, even those represented by fellow Democrats, in favor of adding more funds to urban districts. His response to complaints from suburban legislators was "Like everything else in those districts, that is rich!" http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-education0331.artmar31,0,7288560.story?track=rss Gaffey has also clashed with leaders of his local school board over the installation of artificial turf. http://www.record-journal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18198945&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6
In November 2007 Gaffey suggested that the state had to impose a more stringent school integration plan on suburbs in the Hartford region. "The notion that we're going to get a better result by voluntary programs is ridiculous," said state Sen. Thomas Gaffey, D-Meriden, co-chairman of the legislature's education committee. "We need to shift away from the model of remedy that the state has been pursuing for years. The district is as racially isolated today as it was 10 years ago. It suggests you need to do something different." http://www.courant.com/news/education/hc-sheff1105.artnov05,0,2213459.story
Another Gaffey initiative was a bill that banned most out-of-school suspensions. Educators were unsure how they could comply with the law. http://www.zwire.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18755273&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6
In 2008 Gaffey did break with party leadership to support a Three Strikes Law
Three strikes law
Three strikes laws)"are statutes enacted by state governments in the United States which require the state courts to hand down a mandatory and extended period of incarceration to persons who have been convicted of a serious criminal offense on three or more separate occasions. These statutes became...
to give life sentences to career violent criminals supported by Governor M. Jodi Rell
M. Jodi Rell
Mary Jodi Rell is a Republican politician and was the 87th Governor of the U.S. state of Connecticut from 2004 until 2011. She was the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut under Governor John G. Rowland, who resigned during a corruption investigation. Rell is Connecticut's second female Governor,...
; perhaps as the town of Cheshire is in his district and its 2007 home invasion
Home invasion
Home invasion is the act of illegally burgling or entering a private and occupied dwelling for the purpose of committing a crime Home invasion is the act of illegally burgling or entering a private and occupied dwelling for the purpose of committing a crime Home invasion is the act of illegally...
prompted the bill.
Thomas P. Gaffey was the father of three children. His son, Thomas M. Gaffey died on February 2, 2009, at the age of 16. http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2009/02/03/news/doc498908a90abde821561774.txt In 2005 the Connecticut Appellate Court denied the Senator's ex-wife's request for increased child support. http://www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/Cases/AROap/AP91/91AP467.pdf All three grew up in Meriden, Connecticut. Thomas P. Gaffey has a mother Joyce and a father Marty, who was in the war.
CSU bonding scandal
On December 2, 2007, Hartford Courant columnist Kevin Rennie detailed Gaffey's efforts on behalf of a billion dollar bonding proposal from the Connecticut State University system; which he promoted while being romantically involved with the university administrator lobbying for the proposal. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-commentaryrennie1202.artdec02,0,5991626.story Much of Rennie's story detailed personal communication between Gaffey and his girlfriend over state e-mail accounts. On December 3, 2007, Senate Minority Leader John McKinneyJohn P. McKinney
John P. McKinney is a Republican member of the Connecticut Senate, representing the 28th district since 1999 and has served as its Minority Leader since June 2007....
and Republican State Chairman Chris Healy demanded an investigation into whether Gaffey's conduct violated state ethics rules. http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hc-gaffey1204.artdec04,0,5407593.story?coll=hc_tab01_layout The Democratic senate caucus was split on the need to investigate, with Fairfield County Democrats Andrew McDonald
Andrew J. McDonald
Andrew J. McDonald is an American lawyer and politician from Connecticut. A Democrat, he served as a member of the Connecticut State Senate from 2003 to 2011, representing the state's 27th district in Stamford and Darien...
and Bob Duff suggesting an investigation was needed, http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nickerson7dec05,0,6573355.story while Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr.
Donald E. Williams, Jr.
Donald E. Williams, Jr. was first elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in a special election in 1993. Prior to his service in the State Senate, he served two terms as the First Selectman for the town of Thompson. In July 2004, Senator Williams was elected to serve as the President Pro...
flatly rejected the idea. http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctnogaffeyprobe1206.artdec06,0,1830720.story On December 7, the Hartford Courant's editorial page called on Gaffey to be censured for his role in this affair,
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-gaffey.artdec07,0,6564320.story despite a letter from the Office of State Ethics refuting all conflict of interest allegations.
Both Gaffey and Rennie had stories in the December 9, 2007, Courant. Gaffey said there had been nothing improper in his relationship with the university lobbyist, citing his record of support for state colleges. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/op_ed/hc-gaffey1209.artdec09,0,2907978.story Rennie's article alleged self-dealing by Gaffey, including getting Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
basketball tickets from the university at a low price and using his political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
to pay personal expenses. http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/columnists/hc-rennie1209.artdec09,0,810870.column
On December 11, Democratic senators proposed ethics reforms for the legislature. They denied it was done in response to the Gaffey scandal. http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2007/12/11/senate-dems-plan-on-ethics On December 14, Gaffey asked Williams to be reassigned off the committee responsible for oversight of CSU. http://www.myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19116343&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592708&rfi=6 One Democratic senator, Edith Prague, defended Gaffey, asserting "He didn't steal anything". http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2007/12/sen-edith-pragu.html
Republican Tim Lenox is challenging Gaffey in the November 2008 election http://www.myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19717029&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592708&rfi=6 but was defeated by Gaffey. Following the election, Gaffey's ally, Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr.
Donald E. Williams, Jr.
Donald E. Williams, Jr. was first elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in a special election in 1993. Prior to his service in the State Senate, he served two terms as the First Selectman for the town of Thompson. In July 2004, Senator Williams was elected to serve as the President Pro...
, removed Senator Joan Hartley
Joan Hartley
Joan V. Hartley is an American politician. Hartley, a Democrat, has been a state senator from Connecticut since 2001.Hartley, a resident of Waterbury, represents the western half of the city as well as its southern suburbs of Naugatuck and Prospect in the Connecticut Senate.Hartley was born in...
from chairmanship of the Higher Education Committee, a move viewed as retaliation for opposing Gaffey's bonding proposals. http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/12/26/opinion/387852.txt
Conviction and resignation
In June 2009 the State Election Enforcement Commission fined Gaffey for a double billing scandal involving his political action committeePolitical action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
, the GAFPAC. Gaffey ran for re-election in 2010 and despite the scandal, defeated Republican Len Suzio.
After the election the State's Attorney's office continued its investigation into whether Gaffey violated criminal statutes. On January 3, 2011 Gaffey was arrested for larceny.http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-gaffey-guilty-plea-0104-20110103,0,4867968.story He resolved the criminal charges by agreeing to plead guilty to a misdeameanor, resign his state senate seat effective January 5, 2011, and serve 100 hours of community service. On January 5, 2011 Gaffey submitted his resignation to Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz
Susan Bysiewicz
Susan Bysiewicz served as Secretary of the State of Connecticut from 1999 to 2011. She was briefly a candidate for Governor of Connecticut in 2010, before dropping out to run for Connecticut Attorney General. She was disqualified from running for the office by the Connecticut Supreme Court and...
and submitted his plea to Superior Court Judge Julia Dewey, who accepted the plea agreement.