Former budget official flees before sentencing

Konstantinos Diamantis, seventy, a former senior budget official for Connecticut's Democratic governor, fled the U.S. by boat and plane to Greece ahead of his sentencing Thursday in federal court in Bridgeport.

Convicted on twenty-one counts of bribery

Diamantis was found guilty in October twenty twenty-five on twenty-one counts of bribery and extortion. He faced more than ten years in prison at Thursday's sentencing.

Extorted contractors for school construction work

A federal jury convicted Diamantis of extorting private contractors for thousands of dollars in bribes from two thousand eighteen to two thousand twenty-one, in exchange for helping companies keep and obtain work on multimillion-dollar school construction contracts.

Fled via boat to Bahamas, then to London

Federal prosecutors said Diamantis traveled by boat from Florida to the Bahamas, then boarded a plane to London. Although he had surrendered his U.S. passport, he obtained a Greek passport.

Holds both American and Greek citizenship

Diamantis holds both American and Greek citizenship. Greek courts have upheld the claim that extradition of Greek nationals is forbidden, making his return to the U.S. uncertain.

Accuses governor of weaponizing justice system

In a ten-page email to his attorney, Diamantis accused Governor Ned Lamont of weaponizing the justice system against him. He claimed Lamont used the power of his office to create an insular system of justice aimed at protecting the governor's own wrongdoing.

“The injustice that has occurred to me and my family by political weaponization is beyond rational belief.”

Defense attorney surprised by flight decision

Diamantis's lawyer, Norman Pattis, told reporters he was surprised by the flight. Pattis had argued for a sentence with no prison time but strict conditions of release, while prosecutors sought ten to twelve years.

“I think that Mr. Diamantis was facing a tough day here today and would have gotten at least four or five years, perhaps ten to twelve.”

Connecticut officials condemn flight, stop pension

Governor Lamont said Diamantis betrayed the public's trust and his repeated efforts to skirt justice are shameful. Connecticut officials took steps to stop his state pension payments.

“His repeated efforts to skirt justice are shameful.”

New sentencing hearing set for September thirtieth

A new sentencing hearing has been set for September thirtieth. Federal prosecutors said a judge will determine what comes next, though Diamantis may not attend.