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06/22/2012 01:00 PMThe treasurer of the taxpayer's group that petitioned a recall of the Morgan School referendum may soon face charges for stealing the petition of school supporters.
After First Selectman William "Willie" Fritz announced that the June 26th special meeting was cancelled, a meeting that was to be held after the Clinton Taxpayers Association (CTA) filed a petition to overturn the approved Morgan referendum, CTA treasurer Kirk Carr allegedly removed the petition signed by 450 supporters of the new Morgan School at the June 20th rally.
Fritz said that Selectman John Giannotti witnessed Carr taking the petition off the table shortly after the meeting commenced. Fritz then called the Clinton Police Department, who advised the first selectman to sign a written criminal complaint against the CTA member due to a violation of rights.
"The police department talked to the States Attorneys Office and said that the 450 people that signed that petition- their rights were violated by that," Fritz said. "It's a felony too. The State Statute says he could go to jail for not more than 10 years."
Fritz said Giannotti called Carr and went to his home to get the town document back.
"He picked it up and snuck out with it. He denied taking it when we first approached him and then I called the police, they came to my office, and John Giannotti was there and he said he saw him take it. John went to his house and got it so there's no question he took it," Fritz added.
Carr said he is unable to comment at this time.
Investigation will continue into this matter. Clinton Police Sgt. Joseph Flynn said that Sgt. Robert Sepega was conducting the "open investigation"; Sepega was not available for comment at press time.
The Connecticut State Statute Fritz is referring to reads, "Unlawful removal or alteration of records. Counterfeiting seals. Any person who, wilfully and corruptly, takes away, alters, mutilates or destroys any book, record, document, archive or other property in the possession or custody or under the control of any institution, board, commission, department or officer of the state or any county or municipality or court, or who counterfeits the seal of this state or the seal of any court or public office entitled to have and use a seal, and makes use of the same, or, with evil intent, affixes any of the said true seals to any document, or who has in his possession any such counterfeited seal, and wilfully conceals the same, knowing it to be falsely made and counterfeited, shall be imprisoned not more than ten years."