WEST HAVEN, CT – The city of West Haven will be reimbursed approximately $1 million from its insurance carrier for funds stolen by a former state representative and his associates three years ago. The theft, totaling $1.2 million, involved Michael DiMassa, a former state representative and administrative assistant in City Hall, who conspired with fellow city employee John Bernardo, his wife, and a contractor to defraud the city of federal pandemic relief funds.
All four individuals were sentenced to prison. DiMassa and contractor John Trasacco are currently incarcerated for their roles in the scheme. In a statement, Mayor Dorinda Borer celebrated the reimbursement as a “huge victory,” calling it “an early Christmas present” for the city.
The fraud took place when DiMassa used his authority to manage the distribution of federal pandemic relief funds. He submitted falsified invoices through the city’s finance department, which were made out to shell companies that had never provided any actual goods or services. DiMassa pleaded guilty to the charges and even testified as a witness during Trasacco’s trial.
The city worked closely with Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. to piece together the timeline of the theft, and officials confirmed that the city had suffered a loss of $1,216,541.80 due to the employee theft. After accounting for a $100,000 deductible and restitution already paid back—mostly from Bernardo’s $59,000 share—the city will receive a reimbursement of just under $1.04 million.
In May, DiMassa’s attorney filed for a compassionate release, but the request was denied by U.S. District Court Judge Omar A. Williams in June. The judge stated that the information provided by DiMassa’s counsel was not extraordinary enough to warrant an early release.