After four days, House Speaker Chris Donovan finally broke his silence on Sunday and spoke publicly for the first time following the arrest of his finance director earlier in the week.
The Democratic Speaker of the House made his public statement outside his Meriden campaign headquarters at 6:30 p.m. and said he is choosing to stay in office and on the campaign trail for Congress.
"I will not resign, I feel heartsick and disappointed," Donovan said.
The political crisis surrounding the Donovan campaign started last Wednesday, when his finance director was arrested, accused of conspiracy to conceal the source of contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives candidate meant to influence voting on roll your own cigarette legislation.
"At no time did I know that anyone might have been trying to funnel illegal contributions to my campaign," said Donovan.
Robert Braddock Jr., 33, of Meriden, was charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to conceal the source of contributions to the Donovan's congressional campaign.
Donovan said his campaign manager had been fired, along with Braddock.
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"Tom Swan is joining the campaign, as campaign manager, effective immediately," he said in an earlier statement.
The complaint alleges that Braddock conspired with other people to accept campaign contributions made by one person in the name of another person, which violates federal campaign finance, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
During the investigation, several conversations were recorded and FBI Special Agents went undercover.
According to the Justice Department, the purpose was to conceal that they were to finance an interest in legislation introduced in the state General Assembly during the 2012 legislative session that would have deemed Roll-Your-Own smoke shop owners to be tobacco manufacturers under Connecticut law, which would have subjected shop owners to a substantial licensing fee and tax increase.
The criminal complaint alleges that the potential that that bill would be enacted prompted Braddock and people referred to as “co-conspirators” to arrange a payment of $10,000 to the campaign, which consisted of four $2,500 checks in the names of conduit contributors.
"Let me say this unequivocally, no one bought my involvement my position or my influence on the Roll-Your-Own legislation or any other. I was not involved with that bill," Donovan said.
The congressional primary is just a few weeks away and it appears like Donovan has no intention of waving the white flag.
Braddock appeared in court and was released on a $100,000 bond. The investigation is still ongoing.
