Former Connecticut Official Kosta Diamantis Faces Federal Bribery Trial

Konstantinos "Kosta" Diamantis, a former Connecticut state deputy budget director and lawmaker, is on trial in federal court for allegedly soliciting bribes from construction companies in exchange for steering lucrative school construction contracts. Prosecutors presented evidence including text messages, emails, and witness testimonies that depict Diamantis demanding payments and kickbacks, such as cash, checks, and jobs for his family members, to influence state-funded projects. The trial follows a nearly four-year investigation and includes testimony from contractors who have pleaded guilty to conspiring to bribe Diamantis, as well as potentially from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. The charges against Diamantis include bribery, extortion, conspiracy, and lying to federal investigators, with the accused facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Diamantis was fired in 2021 amid the investigation, which also implicated other state officials in related scandals. The trial is expected to last through October and involves a jury of 16 residents from Connecticut.