Michael DiMassa, COVID Relief Theft, Connecticut 2023

A former West Haven employee and Connecticut State Representative has admitted to stealing over $1.2 million in COVID relief funds and other city funds.

MICHAEL DiMASSA, 31, of West Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to conspiracy charges stemming from his involvement in schemes that resulted in the theft of more than $1.2 million dollars in COVID relief funds and other funds from the City of West Haven.

According to court documents and statements made in court, DiMassa was a Connecticut State Representative who was also employed by the City of West Haven, most recently serving as the Administrative Assistant to the City Council. In April 2020, the State of Connecticut was allocated money by the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (“CRF”), which was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) for the purpose of helping local governments pay costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From July 2020 through September 2021, the City of West Haven received approximately $1,150,257 in financial assistance from this fund. DiMassa, who was authorized to approve the designated relief funds for the reimbursement of COVID-related expenditures incurred by West Haven, conspired with others 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.

DiMassa has agreed to pay restitution of $1,216,541.80.

DiMassa pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charges stem from his involvement in schemes that resulted in the theft of more than $1.2 million dollars in COVID relief funds and other funds from the City of West Haven. The crime occurred in West Haven, Connecticut, in 2020 and 2021.

The outcome of this case is that DiMassa has pleaded guilty and has agreed to pay restitution of $1,216,541.80. He is currently a defendant in this case and will face sentencing at a later date.