A former East Haven zoning enforcement officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to seeking and receiving illegal payments while working for the town, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Frank Biancur Jr. , 41, of West Haven, admitted to seeking out and accepting payments from at least five people "in exchanged for official acts he rendered" as zoning enforcement officer for East Haven, U.S. States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly said.
Last May, an East Haven resident contacted police and the FBI to report that Biancur had been extorting him or her since October of 2012, so the person claimed paying Biancur in cash, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Biancur called the victim on May 19 to say that he had to inspect his or her home, Daly said. But while Biancur told the victim he was fighting for the individual, he demanded $200 or he would force the victim to tear down an addition to his or her home, according to Daly.
Then, two days later, the victim gave Biancur $200 at a meeting in his office at East Haven Town Hall that was recorded, Daly said.
Biancur also admitted to investigators that he asked for and received $500 cash payments from two other East Haven residents in exchange for resolving zoning violations, according to Daly.
Biancur also pleaded guilty to one count of theft of honest services mail fraud, which means he could face as many as 20 years in prison.
He was released after posting a $20,000 bond following his arrest on May 27.
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His sentencing hasn't been scheduled.
Biancur used to work for the cities of West Haven and Bridgeport.
The Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force and East Haven police continue to investigate the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser is investigating.
The task force is made up of officials from the FBI, Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected corruption to the task force at 203-238-0505.
