Scandal Erupts in Connecticut’s Public Utilities Agency Over Deleted Text Messages
In a shocking turn of events, Marissa Gillett, Chairwoman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), faces scrutiny after an attorney for the Office of the Attorney General revealed that she deleted critical public documents related to communications with state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg. The allegations stem from text exchanges on December 15, 2022, regarding an op-ed accused of undermining independent financial ratings agencies, coinciding with the publication of a scathing commentary by Steinberg and state Senator Norm Needleman.
The text messages, obtained by the Hartford Courant via a Freedom of Information Act request, suggest Gillett’s involvement in the creation of the controversial op-ed, raising questions about her impartiality as the state’s utility regulator. Attorney General William Tong confirmed that Gillett’s texts were sent from her private phone, which had a setting to delete messages after 30 days—an unusual practice for someone in her high-profile position.
Judge Matthew J. Budzik expressed disbelief over the deleted messages, questioning whether the Chairwoman was intentionally obfuscating public records. The controversy echoes the Watergate scandal’s infamous Rose Mary Stretch, with parallels drawn to efforts to conceal damaging information.
As Gillett faces a deposition along with her chief of staff, the inquiry will aim to uncover the details of the op-ed’s creation and assess potential breaches of record retention policies. The situation has raised concerns not only about Gillett’s future at PURA but also about the integrity of the state’s regulatory proceedings. With utility companies contesting Gillett’s objectivity, the fallout from this scandal promises to deepen, putting the transparency of Connecticut’s utility regulations under intense scrutiny.
The unfolding scandal has the potential to shake up the leadership and operations of PURA and may invite broader implications for accountability in public office.
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