In 2013, a public affairs firm made a strong accusation in court, claiming that a state-related agency rigged a public bid when it chose to do business with the firm of Tom Ritter -- a former Democratic House Speaker in the Connecticut legislature. Now, a state court judge has again weighed in, saying the antitrust claim doesn’t have merit.
Matt Hennessy used to be chief of staff for Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, back before Perez was convicted on corruption-related charges. Then, Hennessy moved into work at his own public affairs firm, Tremont Public Advisors.
In 2013, frustrated that his firm wasn't awarded a contract for work with the CRRA -- the old agency called the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority -- Hennessy filed suit. He said the quasi-public agency violated antitrust laws by giving the work to a firm called Brown Rudnick in a flawed bidding process. The firm is the home of former House Speaker Tom Ritter.
And now this: a state court judge has dealt a swift blow to the case.
In a decision late last month, Judge Susan Peck for the second time struck the antitrust claim, saying that Hennessy hadn't made his case. Tom Kirk, president of the the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, which is CRRA’s successor, praised the ruling.
"Ultimately, Judge Peck wrote a 30-page decision explaining her decision of why there is no case here," Kirk said. "I'm not sure what it's going to take to convince the plaintiff of that. But the court has certainly made its decision."
Hennessy's attorney declined to comment on tape. But he said he plans to continue to pursue the litigation, and that Hennessy is in it for the "long haul."
Meanwhile, Kirk the agency has spent nearly $150,000 defending itself.
"It's frustrating to have a disappointed bidder continue on this quest to try and find some way to squeeze a favorable outcome through the courts," Kirk said.
Rather than file an appeal, Hennessy’s attorney said he will revise and refile his complaint.
