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Connecticut's top prosecutor retires in wake of investigation

During a meeting of the state Criminal Justice Commission this afternoon, it was announced that Chief State's attorney Richard Colangelo is retiring. He submitted a letter saying he will step down at the end of next month. 

An independent investigation ordered by Gov. Ned Lamont raised questions about Colangelo's hiring of a budget official’s daughter while pressing the official for pay raises for high-ranking staffers in his office.

John Russotto will become acting Chief State's Attorney at the beginning of April.

The state oversight commission was expected to decide whether to begin proceedings that could result in the firing of Connecticut’s top prosecutor, before the retirement was announced.

Colangelo has denied any wrongdoing. Lamont said last week that he would fire Colangelo if it were up to him.

Information from The Associated Press was included in this report. This is a developing story.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.