A former senior official within Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s administration has been found guilty of extorting private contractors. This conviction stems from a scheme involving bribes related to multimillion-dollar state-funded school construction projects. The case casts a harsh spotlight on how public trust can be eroded when officials abuse their power, prompting renewed scrutiny of state contracting practices. Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, 69, a former Democratic state representative and lawyer, was convicted by a federal jury in Bridgeport on more than 20 counts, including extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and making false statements. He is scheduled for sentencing on January 14, 2026.
Konstantinos Diamantis: From Lawmaker to Federal Convict
Serving as the director of Connecticut’s Office of School Construction Grants and Review from 2018 to 2021, Diamantis exploited his position to solicit and accept thousands of dollars from contractors. In return, he would help them secure or retain lucrative state-funded contracts. During the trial, witnesses recounted how Diamantis received cash in envelopes in various clandestine locations, including a men’s restroom in a Hartford restaurant, a local doughnut shop, and even his Farmington residence. Messages referencing payments were often disguised with terms like “birthday cards,” “pars,” and “birdies.” Despite the overwhelming evidence, Diamantis continues to assert his innocence, expressing disappointment with the verdict. His legal counsel, Norman Pattis, stated their intention to appeal, highlighting the possibility of a “catastrophic sentence” of a decade or more.
Evidence and Testimonies
During the proceedings, prosecutors submitted damning email and text message exchanges, illustrating Diamantis’s coercive tactics in demanding money from contractors. One particularly telling exchange involved him telling a masonry company vice president, “I’ve done my part, I need action.” The executive, in turn, privately referred to Diamantis as “like a vulture” when speaking with his company president. Both contractors subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to bribe the former official. Diamantis acknowledged receiving the funds but attempted to frame them as legitimate consulting fees. He vehemently denied using his official capacity to secure these payments or to obtain an overpaid position for his daughter, claiming he had consulted state ethics rules and believed his actions were lawful.
Governor Lamont Distances Administration
Governor Ned Lamont has publicly distanced his administration from Diamantis, clarifying that he did not personally hire the official and promptly removed him from his positions in 2021 once ethical misconduct allegations surfaced. Following these events, Governor Lamont initiated an independent review of the school construction grant program, which led to the implementation of several key procedural reforms. In a statement, he underscored the fundamental principle that public service demands trust, and any breach of that trust will be met with serious repercussions. “Public service is a public trust,” Lamont affirmed. “The conviction of Mr. Diamantis serves as a powerful reminder that violating this trust carries significant consequences. My administration remains fully committed to safeguarding that trust and protecting taxpayer dollars.”
Broader Implications
This conviction serves as a critical warning about the dangers of individuals exploiting their oversight roles within public spending. Furthermore, Diamantis faces a second pending federal case, in which he has pleaded not guilty to charges of assisting in the cancellation of an audit for a physician. This physician later confessed to Medicare and Medicaid fraud, allegedly in exchange for bribes from Diamantis. For the state of Connecticut, this case powerfully reinforces the imperative of maintaining unwavering transparency and stringent oversight in all public contracts, especially those crucial for essential infrastructure like schools.