HARTFORD, Conn. — Federal investigators are probing potential irregularities in the distribution of millions in government grants aimed at supporting social service and nonprofit organizations in Hartford. Grand jury subpoenas have been issued, seeking a wealth of information from state agencies involved in the grant allocation process.
The inquiry focuses on two key individuals in Hartford’s nonprofit sector: state Senator Douglas McCrory, a Democrat from Bloomfield, and Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin, who runs a consulting firm called the SHEBA Resource Center. Federal prosecutors are particularly interested in any personal or professional connections between the two, as reports suggest they have recently cohabited in a home valued at $780,000.
On Wednesday, state officials confirmed that the subpoenas were served to the Department of Economic and Community Development as well as the Minority Business Initiative, a program designed to foster business development within the state. Records show that McCrory held a position on the advisory board during crucial years when grants and loans to Cicero-Hamlin’s enterprise were under consideration. Among the documents requested by the grand jury are minutes from advisory meetings and agendas related to the Minority Business Initiative.
Authorities also executed subpoenas early Wednesday at various nonprofit organizations, including the Legacy Foundation of Hartford, which aims to bridge gaps in education and health for underrepresented youth. It should be noted that receiving a subpoena does not imply wrongdoing; rather, it’s a formal request for information.
The subpoenas suggest that federal investigators are keen to understand the grant-awarding process, specifically how recipients were selected and whether specific hiring or contracting directives were imposed on nonprofits. They are also looking into whether any misleading information was submitted to secure funding.
Investigators have requested financial records regarding grants and loans given to several organizations since 2020, including prominent nonprofits such as the Blue Hills Civic Association, Girls for Technology, Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative, and others linked to Cicero-Hamlin. The subpoenas also pertain to communications between state officials involved in granting funds and the two individuals of interest, as well as additional nonprofit leaders.
Cicero-Hamlin’s consulting firm, along with KTH Advisors—another Hartford-based consulting business run by Kevin T. Henry—were specifically mentioned in the subpoenas for further information about financial arrangements with state agencies.
The Department of Economic and Community Development is responsible for disbursing government funds to a range of organizations, encompassing efforts from economic revitalization to historical preservation. Though the Minority Business Initiative functions under this umbrella, it does so with guidance from an advisory council composed of community leaders and business professionals, including McCrory and Howard K. Hill, founder of the Prosperity Foundation.
Records indicate that state funds are not always disbursed directly to nonprofits; in certain instances, one nonprofit may reallocate grants to another entity. This redirection occurred in April 2022, when the Minority Business Initiative sanctioned a $300,000 grant to a firm linked to Cicero-Hamlin. Concurrently, a significant contract was awarded to Girls for Technology, which then paid SHEBA for its contracted services.
State documents reveal additional support for SHEBA, suggesting a web of financial interactions that merit the scrutiny of federal authorities. Communications regarding these allocations are also under investigation, with officials expected to provide clarity on what services were rendered under specific financial agreements.
As the investigation unfolds, both McCrory and Cicero-Hamlin have refrained from commenting. The evolving situation has raised alarms about transparency and accountability within Connecticut’s nonprofit funding landscape.
This article was automatically generated by OpenAI. The people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate, and any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by emailing contact@publiclawlibrary.org.