UPDATE 8: Statement from Danbury Democratic Town Committee chairman Larry Reifberg.
Councilman Joe Britton is a well-respected attorney, a man of integrity and deep commitment to our city and honorably serves our Danbury residents. The Councilman has City-issued identification and a City-issued key badge allowing him to lawfully enter City Hall. We fully expect and support a transparent discussion of this matter including the resolution of questions concerning the regularity of the city's quarterly reviews, established building entry protocol, monitoring the whereabouts of persons in City Hall and for the complete set of facts to be known before we will comment further.
City officials claim that Danbury Councilman Joe Britton’s attempted to access secured areas of city hall that he does not have authorization to enter during the evening hours of Saturday, April 15, said John Kleinhans, Government Affairs and Communications Advisor.
As part of the City of Danbury’s quarterly security review, concerns were raised that Britton and an unidentified woman entered the office of the Corporation Counsel which council members and the public do not have access to due to the highly confidential, privileged information and records contained within the department, Kleinhans said.
City officials have announced an investigation of a city council member who allegedly tried to gain unauthorized access to areas of City Hall in April.
In a news release from the Mayor's Office Thursday evening, officials said 4th Ward Councilman Joe Britton, accompanied by an unknown woman, tried to access secured areas of Danbury City Hall during the evening hours of Saturday, April 15.
The allegations came following the City of Danbury's quarterly security review, which indicated that Britton and the woman entered the Office of Corporation Counsel.
UPDATE 5: Danbury Republican Town Committee Chairman Mike Safranek issued the following statement regarding the alleged actions of 4th Ward City Councilman Joe Britton.
As chairman of the Republican party, I will refrain from making a full statement regarding Councilman Britain's alleged malfeasance, until the investigation is complete.
But what I will say is that I am disappointed in his actions, as they have been presented.
For a councilman and an attorney to wander into restricted areas of City Hall, (allegedly after hours, in an empty building) one of them being the legal department, is poor judgment.
As a Prominent member of the Danbury Democrat Party to try and gain access to the Mayor's secured office area is extremely poor judgment.
I believe many questions should be asked; what was his intent and the purpose of him trying to get into the Mayor's restricted office.
I remember reading about Watergate in school. On the surface, it was an innocuous event. I truly hope this isn't the start of Danburygate.
But before full judgment is rendered, let's wait to hear all the facts.
As a member of the current City Council I want to know what Joe Britton was doing and who knew he was doing it.
UPDATE 3: 4th Ward City Councilman Joe Britton issued the following statement.
In response to the announcement of the inquiry, my comment is as follows: I was in City Hall that Saturday afternoon withj my City-issued ID badge and City-issued City Hall access key. As requested by the City, I will meet with City officials to discuss this matter in detail. I intend to be fully transparent. I have nothing to hide.
UPDATE 2: Democratic Mayoral candidate Roberto Alves issued the following statement.
I am incredibly disappointed in the allegations that have come to light about Councilman Britton. It is important, regardless of political affiliation, that everyone is held accountable for their actions. Especially our elected leaders. I am hopeful that both parties are transparent and forthright during the investigation, and with the public, into the events of April 15th.
Mayor Dean Esposito announced that an investigation has been launched against Democratic 4th ward City Councilman Joe Britton for allegedly attempting to access restricted offices at City Hall in April.
Statement from the City of Danbury and Mayor Dean Esposito.
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
UPDATE 3: 4th Ward City Councilman Joe Britton issued the following statement.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
