Lawmakers: Sympathy, Hugs, Troubling Questions
Several Wonder How DeLuca Planned To Help Galante At Capitol
By MARK PAZNIOKAS
And JON LENDER Courant Staff Writers
June 2 2007
The arrest Friday of Senate Minority Leader Louis C. DeLuca, R-Woodbury, clouds the long political career of a gruff, but popular voice of conservatism at the State Capitol.
Few legislators seemed disturbed by DeLuca admitting that he asked a trash hauler to threaten a man involved in an abusive relationship with one of Deluca's female relatives.
In fact, some quietly admired the 73-year-old grandfather for his unorthodox attempt to protect a young woman described by authorities and DeLuca's associates as unable or unwilling to escape a troubled relationship.
But legislators said the arrest casts a harsh light on DeLuca's friendship with James Galante, a trash hauler from New Fairfield accused in a federal indictment of conspiring with mobsters.
An affidavit released after DeLuca's arrest describes the lawmaker as telling an undercover agent that "anytime [Galante] needs anything, anything, within my power, that I can do, I will do."
DeLuca was described as turning down a bribe from the agent, saying he was afraid it could be traced. He did not report the bribe attempt to authorities.
Stunned by the arrest, legislators expressed sympathy for DeLuca and his family, but they also said he will have to publicly explain how he was willing to use his office to help Galante.
"The Senate has an institutional interest in that," said Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, the co-chairman of the judiciary committee.
DeLuca who was charged Friday with conspiracy to commit threatening, is expected to plead guilty Monday in Superior Court to the misdemeanor charge.
Among the most explosive elements in the arrest affidavit were comments by DeLuca, recorded by an undercover agent wearing a wire, that "I'll keep my eyes open" in the legislature for "anything that could hurt" Galante's business - and "I'll try to blunt it as best I can."
DeLuca noted on the recordingthat as a legislative leader, he gets to appoint members of certain "watchdog" commissions, and if one were created to oversee the garbage industry, "I can influence it that way."
Rep. David McCluskey, D-West Hartford, one of the lawmakers seen reading the arrest affidavit during the Friday session, said those passages reflect on DeLuca's behavior as an elected official, not a concerned relative.
"The arrest affidavit seems damning," he said.
Sen. John McKinney, R-Fairfield, the second-ranking Republican, said he believes all of DeLuca's comments could be innocently construed.
"I know Lou," said McKinney, who vouched for DeLuca's honesty. "He loves helping people."
DeLuca, who returned to the Capitol for a series of votes in the Senate, declined to comment beyond a statement issued by his staff.
"In frustration and out of concern for my relative, I discussed the domestic abuse situation with Mr. Galante. That was a bad decision, and I am accepting responsibility for it, but it had nothing to do with my elected office," DeLuca said.
DeLuca, the father of four and grandfather of nine, said his relative declined to press charges against the abuser.
"The police could not help our family and I felt desperate and helpless, and I contacted Mr. Galante," DeLuca said. "I am hoping to now put this matter behind me and my family."
U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor and Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane, whose offices jointly investigated the case, were asked at a press conference why they did not seek a corruption charge.
Kane said that the state conspiracy-to-threaten charge is the "appropriate" one, because "the motive for the conspiracy is a private matter [and] did not relate to his official position or his official office."
"It's really a question of what we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt," O'Connor said. "If there were going to be a corruption charge here, it would have probably have been brought on a federal level."
Asked if he was surprised that DeLuca's name came up in the federal probe, O'Connor - a Republican, like DeLuca - said at this point in history "I think in Connecticut we're not too surprised when public figures' names come up in criminal investigations. I wish I wasn't saying that. ... None of us feel good about it."
Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who has made ethics the priority of her administration, issued a brief, supportive statement.
"This is a very difficult personal family situation. It is my understanding that the senator cooperated fully, that he recognizes it was poor judgment and recognizes that his behavior was unacceptable," Rell said.
In recent days, DeLuca privately told his colleagues of his impending arrest and explained the circumstances.
House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, said DeLuca was waiting in Cafero's office Friday morning.
"I was shocked," Cafero said.
Word spread quickly at the Capitol about DeLuca's arrest, and curious legislators and staff members started arriving at the Senate chamber at about 3:30 p.m. to either speak with DeLuca or watch the scene in the chamber.
A larger-than-usual crowd began gathering in the chamber as DeLuca sat at his desk, and the rising level of noise prompted Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele to bang his gavel for order.
Rep. William R. Dyson, the longest-serving House Democrat with nearly 30 years at the Capitol, came upstairs from the second-floor House chamber to see DeLuca.
"I can't think of a more honest, upright and straightforward guy than Lou DeLuca," Dyson said. "I stand up for him, regardless of party."
Rep. Stephen Dargan, D-West Haven, who was first elected at the same time as DeLuca in November 1990, came upstairs and approached DeLuca in the Senate caucus room.
"I went in and gave him a hug," Dargan said. "I've known him a long time. We're not only elected officials, but we all have loved ones and family members who we would protect. All families have issues."
Not all were sympathetic.
Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, said she could not understand why someone of DeLuca's stature did not speak with high-ranking officials whom he knows.
She suggested he resign.
"I'm amazed to see him sitting here, to tell you the truth," Prague said. "Why didn't he call the state police? He's the minority leader in the Senate. Why didn't he go through the legal route? To go to some shady character to take care of this guy is like putting a contract out on someone."
Contact Mark Pazniokas at mpazniokas@courant.com.
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