Bridgeport Councilman Sentenced for Falsifying Votes

Michael DeFilippo, a former Bridgeport City Councilman, has been sentenced for falsifying votes during the 2017 and 2018 council elections. DeFilippo, 38, pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law and will serve three weekends in federal prison, one year of probation, and pay a $15,000 fine. He was accused of using his position as a landlord to students at Sacred Heart University to forge their signatures on absentee ballots, thereby disenfranchising them and securing his election. The case highlighted repeated absentee ballot irregularities in Bridgeport's Democratic primary elections for the 133rd District. DeFilippo's actions were seen as a severe breach of democratic principles, leading to multiple re-runs of the primaries. His misconduct resulted in a significant loss of community respect and his eventual removal from office.