Connecticut
Former Connecticut state rep pleads guilty in Medicaid bribery scheme
BRISTOL, Conn. (WFSB) – A former Connecticut state representative pleaded guilty Wednesday to paying bribes to help his fiancée avoid a state audit of her eye care practice.
Christopher Ziogas, 74, of Bristol, admitted in federal court to conspiracy, bank fraud and lying to federal agents. The former lawmaker represented Connecticut’s 79th Assembly District.
Between January and June 2020, Ziogas worked with Konstantinos Diamantis, a top official in the state’s Office of Policy and Management, court documents show. Diamantis took corrupt payments from Ziogas’s fiancée, Helen Zervas, in exchange for killing a state audit of her Medicaid billing.
Diamantis was found guilty in October on 21 federal corruption charges in a separate case involving school construction projects. He’s facing up to 20 years in prison and will be sentenced Jan. 14.
Zervas owns Family Eye Care in Bristol and knew she had been fraudulently overbilling Medicaid for medical services she didn’t provide or that weren’t needed, prosecutors said.
In January 2020, the state told Zervas it was going to audit her Medicaid billing. Zervas asked Ziogas for help, and he reached out to Diamantis.
On March 4, 2020, Ziogas paid Diamantis a $20,000 bribe. That same day, Zervas’s lawyer sent state officials a settlement offer. The next day, Zervas cut Ziogas a $25,000 check from her business to pay him back.
On March 12, 2020, Ziogas made another $10,000 bribe payment to Diamantis and got reimbursed by Zervas. After Diamantis pressured other state officials, they cancelled the audit and accepted Zervas’s settlement offer on May 1, 2020, court documents say.
On May 12, 2020, Ziogas and Diamantis delivered a settlement check from Family Eye Care for nearly $600,000 to the state. Three days later, Ziogas made a final bribe payment of $65,000 to Diamantis.
Ziogas also committed bank fraud by writing a $5,500 check in November 2019 from a client trust account he managed, made out to Diamantis. He lied to federal agents during their investigation.
Ziogas could face up to 55 years in prison. He was released on $500,000 bond and will be sentenced Feb. 18 in Bridgeport federal court.
Zervas already pleaded guilty to related charges and is waiting to be sentenced. Diamantis is scheduled for trial Jan. 30 in Bridgeport on the Medicaid case.
Copyright 2025 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Connecticut
‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury
DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Danbury drivers can expect hours-long closures on Sugar Hollow Road early Monday morning after a “serious” crash, according to local police.
Police said the morning crash has caused closures in both directions at the Ridgefield Line (Bennetts Farm Road) and at Miry Brook Road.
The road is expected to close for approximately three to four hours, police said.
Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes, including George Washington Highway and Route 53.
There are no words on injuries.
Additional information was not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.
Connecticut
Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”
Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.
Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.
Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.
“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.
Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.
Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Connecticut
Milford business celebrating 50th anniversary
Chip Rubenstein, owner of Chip’s Auto Sales of Milford, says he’s honored to celebrate the dealership’s 50th anniversary alongside America’s 250th birthday.
“I opened Chip’s Auto Sales in 1976, during a chaotic time for our nation in the world,” said Rubenstein, “50 years later, I am so proud of the legacy I’ve created as somebody who always tried his best to do right, and to serve my community proudly.”
-
New York58 minutes agoHow a Family of 5 Lives on $46,000 a Year in Wakefield
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour agoSouthern California braces for 110-degree heat, thunderstorms this week
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoDetroit Sandwich Party returns to Eastern Market on Sept. 6
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoA Leak of San Francisco Police Drone Footage Exposes the New Reality of Urban Surveillance
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoViral East Dallas coffee shop fears major sales drop amid six-week road closure
-
Miami, FL2 hours ago3 hurt in fire on Lincoln Road that started underground
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoRideshare driver charged in Logan airport passenger assault to appear in court
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver area events for July 13