Wife of former CT state rep gets prison for her role in scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds
The wife of a former state representative and West Haven city employee was sentenced Thursday to six months in federal prison for her role in a scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds from West Haven.
Lauren DiMassa, 38, (formerly known as Lauren Knox), and the wife of former state Rep. Michael DiMassa, also was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams to five years of supervised release, the first six months of which must be served in home confinement, according to federal authorities.
Lauren DiMassa also was ordered to pay $147,776.10 in restitution.
John Bernardo, a former West Haven city employee and business partner of Michael DiMassa, was sentenced to 13 months in prison Wednesday for his part in the conspiracy to steal more than $1.2 million in government relief money that the city received to cover expenses arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
Bernardo, 67, was the first to be sentenced among four people, including Michael DiMassa, who all have pleaded guilty or been convicted in the embezzlement. All had some connection to Michael DiMassa, who was authorized by the city to disburse the pandemic money and was at the center of the conspiracy.
Bernardo and DiMassa admitted creating a sham business partnership in January 2021 and using it to bilk the city out of $636,783.70 for a variety of non-existent services described on city invoices as legal work, lobbying, site work, consulting services and “Legislative Review of Executive Orders.”
Read more: Former CT Rep. DiMassa testifies against alleged co-conspirator in COVID-19 fund thefts
Federal prosecutors said Michael DiMassa arranged for West Haven to issue 13 checks to the partnership, the Compass Investment Group — even though it never received anything for its money.
Michael DiMassa, who “was authorized to approve the designated relief funds for the reimbursement of COVID-related expenditures incurred by West Haven, conspired with Lauren DiMassa,” and the two men “to steal these funds and other West Haven funds through the submission of fraudulent invoices, and subsequent payment, for COVID relief goods and services that were never provided,” according to federal authorities.
Michael DiMassa in 2020 and 2021 submitted fake invoices to West Haven for services related to a Youth Violence Prevention Program and for Youth Violence COVID-19 Associated Expenses; the payment vouchers requested checks be made out to Lauren DiMassa, according to federal authorities.
West Haven made 16 payments totaling about $147,776 to Lauren DiMassa, who never provided services to the city and the couple “used the proceeds for their own benefit,” according to federal authorities.
Lauren DiMassa was arrested on Feb. 18, 2022; she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July 2022.
Lauren DiMassa is free on a $50,000 bond and must report to prison on May 23.
Michael DiMassa pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Nov. 1, 2022; he awaits sentencing and agreed to pay restitution of $1,216,541.
A jury found Trasacco guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. He also awaits sentencing.