HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The former executive director of a Connecticut community development agency was sentenced Tuesday to five months in prison for stealing nearly $98,000 from the organization.
Darrin LaMore, 49, of Enfield, was sentenced in Hartford by U.S. District Judge Alvin Thompson, who also ordered LaMore to pay full restitution to the town of Enfield and the state Department of Economic and Community Development.
Prosecutors said LaMore stole the money between 2012 and 2015 when he was executive director of the Enfield Community Development Corp., which oversees economic development in Enfield and administers federal funding allocated by the state for local projects.
According to prosecutors, LaMore funded his salary with federal grants in amounts that were higher than allowed and falsified vendor invoices to pay for his salary.
LaMore previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft from a program receiving federal funds. He was ordered to report to prison on Jan. 5.
In court documents, his lawyer, Todd Bussert, wrote that the development agency did not set aside sufficient funds to pay LaMore’s salary and he submitted invoices so he could get paid.
Supporters of LaMore said he played key roles in improvements made in town, especially the Thompsonville section.
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