A Danbury woman called police to complain she was being harassed by Bethel First Selectman Robert Burke in June, a Danbury Police Department spokesman confirmed Tuesday.

The alleged incident took place more than five months after an incident that resulted in Burke's arrest by Connecticut State Police on Monday.

No criminal charges were brought against Burke in the Danbury case, police department spokesman Capt. Thomas Wendel said Tuesday.

Instead, police contacted a prosecutor in the Danbury state's attorney's office and were referred to state police, who by this time were already pursuing a separate investigation against Burke. Danbury police turned the complaint over to the state police.

However, the two alleged incidents are apparently related. The woman who contacted Danbury police is the daughter of the woman who filed the complaint in December that led to Burke's arrest for second-degree harassment.

"My family has been having problems with him for a long time," the daughter claimed Tuesday.

Bethel Police Commissioner Nick Ellis, who was elected three and a half years ago, said he was sorry about the arrest but knew it was coming.

"I feel sorry for Bob and his family, but the victim has gone through a lot,'' Ellis said Monday. "I'm sorry it had to happen this way."

Ellis said Burke and the alleged victim had a personal relationship that was private between them and their families, but the issue became public after the individual went to the police department several times.

The alleged victim didn't want to file a complaint initially but finally did last December, Ellis said.

[Selectman] Szatkowski said that he, like many people, had heard rumors of Burke's situation for weeks.

"We're a small community,'' Szatkowski said. "Everybody knows everybody.''

"It was probably the most open secret in town,'' said GOP Town chairman Paul Improta.

Improta said the rumors of Burke's legal problems were among the reasons the town committee decided not to endorse him, instead backing Craybas.

"We didn't want people saying 'You knew about this and you endorsed the guy anyway?'" Improta related.
Like Szatkowski, Improta said it would be "wise'' for Burke to drop his primary challenge.

"It would be good for the town,'' he said. "We don't need to go through a fight he has no chance of winning. I think he'd be doing himself a favor."

A. Disciplinary action against any regular employee in the classified service shall be taken only for cause, and the following procedures shall apply. Records of disciplinary action shall be maintained in the employee's personnel file and a copy given to the employee.

B. Cause for disciplinary action. A department head or the appointing authority may reprimand, demote, withhold pay increases, suspend, dismiss or otherwise discipline an employee for reasons such as, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Violation of these rules.

(2) Dishonesty in the performance of duties.

(3) Consumption of alcohol or the illegal use of drugs on the job.

(4) Reporting for work unfit for duty.

(5) Recklessness or negligence on the job.

(6) Inefficiency.

(7) Tardiness or absenteeism.

(8) Engaging in unauthorized work or activity while on duty.

(9) Failure, refusal or inability to perform a normal quantity and quality of work.

(10) Failure to obey a reasonable order, either written or oral, provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require an employee to commit an unlawful act.

(11) The use of abusive language to a supervisor, coworker or the public.

(12) Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.

(13) Fraudulently obtaining sick or injury leave.

(14) Insubordination.

(15) Other due and sufficient cause.

Moral turpitude is a legal concept in the United States that refers to "conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty or good morals.

"I intend to vigorously defend my innocence against this misdemeanor charge. I do not know the details of the accusation but I am more than 100% certain that this allegation is without merit and baseless. Anyone that knows me knows that I have always been very passionate about sticking up for the little guy, and when it comes to clearing my own good name and reputation, I will spare no expense or effort to do the same. I do not intend to change my political campaign in any way. I look forward to clearing my name and running on my record of accomplishments – first to my fellow Republicans and then to all the people of Bethel who are entitled to the truth. The people of Bethel expect a full accounting of the facts surrounding this misdemeanor charge and I will do everything possible to provide the full truth."

Bethel Police Commissioner Nick Ellis, who was elected three and a half years ago, said he was sorry about the arrest but knew it was coming.

"I feel sorry for Bob and his family, but the victim has gone through a lot,'' Ellis said Monday. "I'm sorry it had to happen this way."

Ellis said Burke and the alleged victim had a personal relationship that was private between them and their families, but the issue became public after the individual went to the police department several times.

The alleged victim didn't want to file a complaint initially but finally did last December, Ellis said.

He said the local police did what they were supposed to do, but the state's attorney in Danbury thought the case was too close to home so it was moved to the state police.

First Selectman Robert Burke's Republican opponents urged him Monday to shut down his primary plans.

"He should bow out,'' Selectman Paul Szatkowski said. "A wise man would."

[...]

"It's an embarrassment to the entire town and to his family,'' Szatkowski said of the arrest.

Szatkowski said that he, like many people, had heard rumors of Burke's situation for weeks.

"We're a small community,'' Szatkowski said. "Everybody knows everybody.''

"It was probably the most open secret in town," said GOP Town chairman Paul Improta.

Improta said the rumors of Burke's legal problems were among the reasons the town committee decided not to endorse him, instead backing Craybas.

"We didn't want people saying 'You knew about this and you endorsed the guy anyway?' '' Improta related.

Like Szatkowski, Improta said it would be "wise'' for Burke to drop his primary challenge.

"It would be good for the town,'' he said. "We don't need to go through a fight he has no chance of winning. I think he'd be doing himself a favor.''