Bernardo, COVID Relief Funds Fraud, Connecticut 2021

West Haven Employee Charged with COVID Relief Funds Fraud

Leonard C. Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and other federal officials announced that JOHN BERNARDO, 65, of West Haven, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with his role in a conspiracy to defraud the City of West Haven.

Bernardo, a Housing Specialist in the office of Community Development Administration, surrendered to law enforcement this morning and was released on a $250,000 bond after appearing before U.S. District Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven.

According to the complaint, Bernardo formed a company called Compass Investment Group, LLC, with Michael DiMassa, an Administrative Assistant to the City Council and former Connecticut State Representative, in January 2021. The company fraudulently billed the City of West Haven and its "COVID-19 Grant Department" for consulting services purportedly provided to the West Haven Health Department that were not performed. From February 2021 through September 2021, the City of West Haven paid Compass Investment Group a total of $636,783.70, with Bernardo receiving at least $45,000 of these funds.

The complaint charges Bernardo with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, both offenses carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The investigation into this matter is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General for Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt and that charges are only allegations, which a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Bernardo’s current status is that he has been released on a $250,000 bond and awaits trial. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the charges against him.

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