home > news > local

Let The Subpoenas Begin

Monday, Nov 9, 2009 | Updated 3:30 PM EST

At least one subpoena for documents has been issued as part of investigation into government efficiency project.

Investigators looking into whether a UConn project was used to help Governor Rell politically have started requesting documents in the case.

According to the Hartford Courant, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and the bipartisan state auditors have issued "demand letters" for all relevant documents. The newspaper says it includes e-mails, memos and other records. Blumenthal added that one subpoena has been served on a person he would not name. He also indicated his interest may be to maintain evidence so it is not destroyed.

At issue is a two-year, $220,000 project commissioned by the governor's office to find ways to cut government costs. The project was suspended about half way through it.

Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, Robert Genuario, notified University of Connecticut professor Ken Dautrich, who oversaw the project and the school on October 16 of the suspension.

The study came under fire after news reports of e-mails surfaced that appear to indicate Rell knew about discussions between Dautrich and her chief of staff about conducting an opinion poll as part of the project.

UConn's office of audit, compliance and ethics is also examining the project to see if it violates the school's code of ethics.