Former Connecticut state representative, Michael DiMassa, will begin serving a 27-month federal prison sentence on Monday for his involvement in COVID fraud. DiMassa, 32, was convicted of stealing $1.2 million in COVID relief and other funds from the city of West Haven, just outside of New Haven.

Last month, DiMassa pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In addition to his prison sentence, he has been ordered to pay nearly $866,000 in restitution. Following his release, DiMassa will face five years of supervised release, during which he must complete 100 hours of community service, according to court documents.

Originally, DiMassa was scheduled to report to prison on July 31. However, the surrender date was postponed twice by a judge to allow him to care for his newborn baby until his wife, Lauren DiMassa, was released from prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, Michael DiMassa, while serving as both a state representative and city employee, misused funds allocated from the federal government's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act between July 2020 and September 2021.

DiMassa conspired with others to submit fraudulent invoices, resulting in the theft of the allocated funds. He and his wife, Lauren DiMassa, billed the city for various expenses related to a youth violence prevention program, including in-home counseling, special needs services, and equipment rentals. The couple received over $147,000 from these claims, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Additionally, DiMassa collaborated with John Bernardo, a former West Haven housing specialist, to fraudulently bill the city for consulting services that were never provided. From February 2021 to September 2021, the city paid their company over $636,000. DiMassa made large cash withdrawals during this time, some of which coincided with visits to a local casino.

Furthermore, DiMassa conspired with West Haven businessman John Trasacco to bill the city for goods and services through two companies owned by Trasacco. These services included delivering personal protective equipment and cleaning school buildings. Trasacco's companies received more than $431,000 as a result of this fraudulent scheme.

Bernardo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in June 2022 and was sentenced to 13 months in prison in March 2023. Trasacco, on the other hand, was found guilty of both conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in December 2022 and received an eight-year prison sentence in April 2023.

Michael DiMassa's conviction serves as a reminder of the consequences individuals face for exploiting funds meant for COVID relief. The U.S. Attorney's Office and law enforcement agencies continue to be vigilant in pursuing and prosecuting those engaged in fraudulent activities related to the pandemic.

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