EAST HARTFORD — Melissa McCaw, who lately stepped down as secretary of the state funds workplace to change into the city’s new finance director, was overdue in paying $2,310 in property taxes to town of Middletown, information point out.
Middletown tax information confirmed this week that McCaw owed $1,677.66 on a automotive registered in her title in that city, a 2019 Infiniti QX80 Lux assessed at $34,980. The 2 installments, which had been $769.57 every, had been due July 1, 2021, and Jan. 1, 2022. The overdue invoice finally generated $138.52 in curiosity earlier than it was ultimately paid after a reporter began making inquiries.
Workers within the Middletown tax collector’s workplace stated Thursday morning {that a} residence owned by McCaw and her husband in that city additionally had an excellent water and sewer tax invoice for $632.61, that was due Nov. 1, 2021. The principal stability for the invoice was $588.44, with $44.17 in accrued curiosity.
Earlier than the payments had been paid, East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh — who lately employed McCaw to supervise his city’s finance division together with tax collections — stated Wednesday afternoon that he was not conscious of the unpaid taxes and would ask McCaw to care for them.
“It must be remedied earlier than she begins,” Walsh stated. McCaw’s first day on the job is scheduled for March 14.
Late Thursday morning McCaw stated that each one excellent tax payments owed to Middletown had been paid in full.
“As knowledgeable lady who works 14-hour days, a mom of three wonderful children with a really demanding job, oversights happen and have been remedied,” McCaw stated when requested in regards to the lapse.
Middletown information point out that the automotive tax invoice was paid in full on Thursday. Middletown workers stated Thursday morning that they anticipate the water and sewer invoice can be paid that day, however couldn’t be reached Friday morning to substantiate if it had been paid, as but.
McCaw took the brand new job as East Hartford’s finance director after Gov. Ned Lamont introduced her departure as head of the state Workplace of Coverage and Administration on Feb. 25. Her departure got here on the heels of a federal investigation into her former deputy secretary, Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, and the dealing with of college development grants and the redevelopment of the state pier in New London.
McCaw employed Diamantis as deputy secretary at OPM in 2019. He was positioned on administrative go away in October, and subsequently resigned. Officers are investigating the hiring of his daughter by Chief State’s Legal professional Richard Colangelo Jr., coinciding with Colangelo asking Diamantis for raises for his workers.
Whereas McCaw was Diamantis’ supervisor, there have been no public allegations that she acted improperly.
As East Hartford’s finance director, McCaw will succeed Linda Trzetziak, who introduced her retirement in November.
Walsh beforehand served because the city’s finance director for 23 years, and labored with McCaw as an undersecretary at OPM from 2019 to 2021.
McCaw will likely be taking a pay reduce within the new place. She was paid $204,255 in 2021 as OPM secretary, in response to state information, and the city of East Hartford can pay her $165,000 as its finance director.
Joseph covers East Hartford and South Windsor. He joined the JI in July 2021. Joseph graduated from the College of Connecticut and he’s an avid guitarist and low fanatic.