Len Besthoff is the chief investigative reporter for the NBC Connecticut Investigates team.
Since joining NBC Connecticut in October of 2013, Len has broken a number of stories with statewide interest involving major glitches with the Connecticut’s DMV software, patient abuse at Whiting Forensic Hospital, and issues with the state’s crumbling basement crisis. Len concentrates on stories using data, records, and whistleblowers to expose waste, corruption, and wrongdoing. He advocates for protecting and improving our state’s Freedom of Information statutes, serving on the executive committee of the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government.
Previously, he worked for WFSB-TV in Hartford for 11 years, and was part of the station’s investigative unit, breaking a number of big stories, and receiving a number of awards for his efforts.
Len has covered major news stories on the East Coast and New England for 37 years, including 9/11, numerous hurricanes and snowstorms; and major stories in Connecticut, including the violence in Newtown and at Hartford Distributors in Manchester, along with the arrest of Hartford’s mayor.
Len also worked for WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Virginia, News12 Connecticut in Norwalk, and TV-34 News in Wall Township, New Jersey. He was born in New York City and grew up in northern New Jersey. He graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown with a major in Economics.
When he’s not working, you will often find Len golfing, or gardening. Len and his wife support a number of community events.
You can find Len on multiple social media platforms -- just search “Len Besthoff”. You can also send him an email with story ideas.
The Latest
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NBC CT Investigates: Why did a century old business in Hamden shut down?
A Connecticut manufacturing company that has operated for more than a century has closed its doors, with its longtime owner citing soaring business expenses and tariffs as key reasons for the decision. Leed-Himmel Industries, a custom aluminum manufacturing company based in Hamden, has been winding down operations after decades of serving customers. The closure did not come as a surprise…
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Report flags $1 million overpayment, data breach, other issues at Connecticut DCF
State auditors are raising concerns about several issues involving the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, including a more than $1 million overpayment, a data breach, and questions about an employee’s conduct. This was all found in auditors’ “monthly loss report” for July 2026. DCF said it discovered the overpayment while correcting an earlier payment problem. According to the...
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Former Hartford treasurer subpoenaed in federal grand jury inquiry
Hartford has received a federal subpoena tied to a grand jury investigation involving former city treasurer Carmen Sierra. NBC Connecticut Investigates obtained a copy of the subpoena, which asks the city for a wide range of records from the treasurer’s office. The subpoena comes after a flurry of activity earlier this month, when police were called to Sierra’s former...
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CT DCF data reveals case interactions in over 2 dozen child fatalities and life-threatening cases
Many of Connecticut’s most serious child abuse and neglect cases involved children whose families had previous contact with the Department of Children and Families, according to newly released state data analyzed by NBC Connecticut Investigates. The records, which cover nearly 80 child fatalities and near-fatalities from January 2025 through May 2026, show DCF determined its prior case history with the…
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Police report reveals ex-Hartford treasurer may have shredded documents at office after resignation
A Hartford Police incident report obtained by NBC Connecticut Investigates reveals that former Hartford treasurer Carmen Sierra returned to her office after resigning and may have been shredding documents. NBC Connecticut Investigates authenticated the report through law enforcement sources. The report says that on July 8, the police chief’s office received information that Sierra was in her office shredding documents….
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New Connecticut law targets double utility poles
Coverage by NBC Connecticut Investigates has helped prompt new legislation aimed at making Connecticut neighborhoods safer — and a little less cluttered — by speeding up the removal of double utility poles. Double poles are created when a damaged or broken utility pole is replaced, but wires and equipment remain attached to both the old pole and the new one. …
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Former Hartford immigration judge says court backlog still straining legal immigration process
A former federal immigration judge is speaking out about what he calls a struggling immigration court system, saying the process has become too slow, too expensive, and too difficult for many people trying to follow the law. It is part of NBC Connecticut Investigates’ ongoing series, The Path Forward, examining the real-life process behind legal immigration. Retired immigration judge...
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DCF responds after NBC Connecticut Investigates report on Solnit staffing concerns
An NBC Connecticut Investigates report has prompted action from the Department of Children and Families, according to the union representing employees at the Solnit youth psychiatric facility in Middletown. Last week, Chief Investigator Len Besthoff reported on two violent incidents at Solnit’s hospital that left more than a half dozen employees on workers’ compensation, according to their union. Now, NBC Connecticut Investigates has...
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CT DOC releases video 8 years after inmate death
A newly released video shows the moments leading up to the death of an inmate in Newtown in 2018. Correction officers said J’Allen Jones started fighting them as they were moving him to the medical unit inside Garner Correctional. A redacted version of the surveillance video was just released. In the video, you can see Jones in handcuffs walking with officers. He ends up in a cell. Officers performed CPR. Jones...
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Workers say violent disturbances followed staffing shortages at CT youth psychiatric facility
Solnit workers say violent disturbances followed staffing warnings at the Middletown youth psychiatric facility NBC Connecticut Investigates is looking into safety concerns at the Solnit Children’s Center South Campus in Middletown after workers say two violent disturbances left multiple staff members hurt. More than half a dozen employees have gone out on workers’ comp due to the incidents, according...
