State Rep. Joe Aresimowicz Happy Scandal Is Behind Him

By Robert Mayer

When State Rep. Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin, Southington) saw his name being listed with those under investigation by the FBI in the trial of Robert Braddock Jr., he made a tough choice to say nothing and let the investigation play out.

As days went on, various news outlets detailed text messages between Aresimowicz and Ray Soucy, who came up with scheme to try to kill a bill adding taxes to roll your own cigarette shops. Soucy became an FBI informant and is awaiting sentencing. 

Robert Braddock Jr. was convicted in federal court on Tuesday on all three counts of conspiring to hide the source of political contributions to Donovan’s failed 2012 Fifth District campaign, according to CTNewsJunkie.com and several other news outlets. 

"The important thing and the thing that became very clear as the testimony came out was I voted for the bill and I said 'no' every time to their attempts to get me to take money," Aresimowicz said Wednesday night. "My name being out there made me feel very uncomfortable but my actions were very clear and I knew the facts would come out." 

Braddock was one of eight people the federal government arrested last year, but the only one of the bunch to plead not guilty in the scheme. The others — six smoke shop owners and Donovan’s former campaign manager, Josh Nassi — all pleaded guilty.   

Testimony throughout the weeklong trial centered on Harry "Ray" Soucy, a corrections officer from Naugatuck and one of the schemers who ultimately orchestrated the political contributions. Soucy became an FBI informant and was caught on tape speaking to Donovan about "killing the bill," a reference to a piece of legislation that would have brought higher taxes on roll-your-own tobacco shops.

When the Hartford Courant released a text between Soucy and Aresimowicz, some might have thought Aresimowicz, known throughout the testimony by his nickname "A to Z," might have some intimate knowledge of the deal.

"I would say I make thousands of texts and calls during a session," Aresimowicz said. "There is jargon that is used back and forth throughout the process. I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know that people would be arrested and charged with committing crimes. But when it came to this case, I re-buffed all their attempts to give me money and voted for the bill."

Aresimowicz said he hopes people will still have faith in their representatives in Hartford.

"There are really good people who work really hard up here," he said. "I'm not saying we have all the answers, but I'm proud of how much we get accomplished and that the two parties are able to work together. 

"There are people up here all the time with a legislative agenda. There are professional lobbyists and there are novices and in this case there were some criminals who find themselves in trouble. This is a rare case. This stuff just doesn't happen up here."

When asked what the reaction he has seen both in the chamber and in his towns, Aresimowicz was very upbeat.

"I can't tell you how many people came up to me and told me they were sorry for what I was going through because they know me to be a straight shooter and a very honest guy," he said. "Literally every one of the reps has made their way to me to let me know they were with me. This actually helps me in the House because people know, for sure, they can trust me. I was given the opportunity to take money and I turned it down. I was asked to fix a vote and I turned it down. The other reps know where I stand."

Aresimowicz said he hopes his case bolsters his popularity in his district as well.

"Any time you are included in something like this it is tough and I found that," he said. "I have found the people I have run into think I'm on the up and up. I try to carry myself as an honorable person and again in this instance I proved to do the right thing. I think that goes a long way when it comes to the people trusting you and putting their faith in you."