A federal judge has issued an arrest warrant for Constantine Diamantis, the former deputy head of the Connecticut budget office and head of the school construction program. According to his lawyer, the ex-official left the United States and is now in Greece. Diamantis was previously found guilty on 21 counts, including bribery, extortion, conspiracy and making false statements to investigators, NBC Connecticut reports.
The court was supposed to sentence Diamantis on Thursday, but lawyer Norm Pattis said his client had gone to Greece and would not be present at the hearing. Prosecutors could not confirm Diamantis' whereabouts, but determined he traveled to Florida, took a boat to the Bahamas, and then booked a plane ticket to London. It is alleged that he used a Greek passport to travel.
The sentencing was postponed to September 30. Federal Judge Stefan Underhill indicated that the hearing would take place regardless of whether Diamantis was present in the courtroom. The prosecutor's office demands that he be sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said his office is “considering all legal options to bring Diamantis to justice.” At the same time, Greek courts previously confirmed that they cannot extradite their citizens.
“Costa Diamantis abused the public trust and will be held accountable. His disappearance this morning is an insult to every Connecticut resident and will not hinder our efforts to fully protect the state's interests and taxpayer dollars,” Tong said.
Connecticut authorities have also begun proceedings to terminate Diamantis' pension payments.
“No one who has been found guilty of defrauding taxpayers and is now a fugitive should continue to receive a pension,” Tong added.
According to investigators, from 2018 to 2021, Diamantis received thousands of dollars from private contractors in exchange for assistance in obtaining and retaining multimillion-dollar school construction contracts. The indictment also alleges that he threatened to terminate contracts if contractors refused to pay him.
During the trial, witnesses said they handed Diamantis envelopes containing cash in various places, including in the restroom of a high-end restaurant, a donut shop and at his home. In the correspondence, some payments were referred to as “birthday cards,” as well as “pars” and “birdies” (golf terms).
Diamantis previously admitted that he received the money, but argued that it was a fair payment for consulting services. He continues to deny committing crimes and says the prosecution has destroyed his life, reputation and relationships with his family.
“The injustice that my family and I have suffered as a result of the politicization of the justice system is beyond reason. I lost everything I earned my whole life and more. It is difficult to lose your home, your children’s home, your car, your job, the opportunity to find a new job, your license to practice law, your honor, dignity and pride,” Diamantis said in a letter submitted to the court through his lawyer.
In addition, another federal criminal case against Diamantis is ongoing. He is accused of accepting bribes to stop an audit of the practice of an ophthalmologist who was suspected of fraud with the Medicaid program.
