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Connecticut
Hilary Carpenter nomination to CT prison oversight role in jeopardy
Gov. Ned Lamont’s pick to lead Connecticut’s prison oversight effort failed to secure a favorable vote out of the legislature’s Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee on Tuesday, effectively putting the nomination in jeopardy until lawmakers and the governor decide how to proceed.
Earlier in the day, it appeared that Hilary Carpenter, a veteran public defender who Lamont recently appointed to be the state’s correctional ombudsperson, had a chance to make it out of the committee on the condition that she make immediate progress in alleviating concerns from the prison advocacy community about her appointment.
But an unusual 8-8 vote finalized Tuesday afternoon ended with a decision not to push Carpenter’s nomination forward. Three lawmakers were absent and/or did not vote, while one legislator, Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, D-New Haven, abstained.
“Right now, the nomination doesn’t look like it will move forward,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, a co-chair of the committee, said in an interview, adding that conversations about how the legislature will proceed have yet to occur. The law governing the position does not outline steps for when lawmakers vote unfavorably on a nominee, effectively leaving the process in limbo.
Lamont’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an interview, Carpenter said she was disappointed that people in prison may have to wait longer for clarity on who will serve in the long-anticipated independent oversight role.
“I don’t know how long they’re going to have to wait before they fill the position, but it’s unfortunate that it won’t be filled soon,” Carpenter said.
If approved by the full legislature, Carpenter would have, among a bevy of responsibilities, the power to independently conduct site visits, communicate with incarcerated people, review agency records and draft a yearly report on confinement conditions in the Department of Correction.
But during the public hearing portion of the meeting, advocates relayed their concerns to legislators about Lamont bypassing Connecticut’s prison oversight committee’s recommendation to select Carpenter, whom the panel ranked last among the three finalists considered for the position.
[Lamont appoints Hilary Carpenter to DOC ombudsperson role]
“I don’t feel it’s fair given the advocacy of all the other individuals that have been nominated,” testified Cody Richard, a member of the public who was formerly incarcerated, echoing the sentiments of the handful of people who spoke, including Barbara Fair, one of the finalists.
After the rare showing of displeasure, lawmakers informed Carpenter that they wanted to see immediate progress in easing the concerns of the community, suggesting that her success in doing so would determine whether the full legislative body would approve her appointment.
“I think that hearing how those conversations go, how those fears have been allayed, how those relationships are being built will go a long ways towards bringing a majority in the House and the Senate,” said Duff, D-Norwalk.
“I felt uncomfortable throughout this entire process and will continue to do so until more conversations are had with, especially, the individuals in this room who are more experienced in this than I am,” added Rep. Julio Concepcion, D-Hartford, the House chair of the committee.
Both chairs voted in favor of her nomination, but with those caveats.
Carpenter said during her testimony and in a subsequent conversation with The Connecticut Mirror that listening to the thoughts and concerns of the public was a top priority of hers, adding that “what they say will help guide me and what I do.”
After the hearing, she spoke at length with advocates in the hallway of the Legislative Office Building, collecting their phone numbers and reassuring them that she was there to work with them and advocate for the rights of people in prison.
“They are dedicated and passionate about this,” Carpenter told lawmakers about the advocates. “So I look forward to working with them from the get-go in this position.”
Public opposition to Carpenter’s appointment was expected given the dissatisfaction of advocates and legislators over Lamont’s decision to appoint the former death penalty adversary last month, but Tuesday’s tense affair was rare for a committee that doesn’t often hear adversarial testimony from the public.
Lamont’s choice to select Carpenter, who has worked for nearly two decades in the Division of Public Defender Services, went against the guidance of the Correction Advisory Committee, which interviewed and selected finalists for the role.
After months of delays and setbacks, the committee recommended the appointment of civil rights attorney Kenneth J. Krayeske. From the three contenders, which included Fair, a longtime prison reform advocate, the group ranked Carpenter last.
Carpenter’s testimony on Tuesday was her first time speaking in front of the members of the legislature since her appointment.
In her opening remarks, she talked about her experience advocating for incarcerated and indigent clients and fostering relationships with correctional staff “to address my clients’ needs effectively and establish positive connections for future cases and clients.”
Her previous experience as president of the Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty, she said, provided her with an understanding of state politics and enabled her to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
She said her work approach emphasizes empowering people to advocate for themselves, facilitating their access to resources and intervening directly as needed.
“My lifetime commitment to advocating for marginalized communities equips me to contribute meaningfully to Connecticut’s criminal justice reform efforts,” Carpenter said. “I am humbled by this nomination to this pivotal role, and I’m eager to begin this important work.”
But her optimism wasn’t shared by advocates like Fair, whom the governor did not appoint despite her years of advocacy work, including the creation of the legislation that reestablished the ombudsperson role after it was previously defunded.
“I don’t even know why I’ve been sitting here testifying for this position as opposed to being appointed to it,” Fair said during the public hearing, in front of a room of people vocalizing their backing of her, such as “We want you, Barbara,” and their dissatisfaction with Carpenter.
Fair also relayed disappointment with Carpenter having not yet reached out to her, despite saying she planned to prioritize outreach.
“Nothing personal against Ms. Hilary, but those people incarcerated, to me, are the most marginalized, unheard, unseen people in Connecticut,” said Fair, whom Carpenter spoke with after the hearing. “I haven’t heard of Ms. Carpenter in all these decades of doing this work, come in and step in, and working with me, and stand with me.”
Rep. Dave Yaccarino, R-North Haven, a ranking Republican on the committee, was one of the legislators who voted against advancing Carpenter’s nomination, saying he did so as a “red flag.”
“I have concerns for all of the reasons we’ve heard from the public, and I was a little concerned about not having enough staff and not hearing enough input from our inmates,” said Yaccarino, referencing points made by Carpenter about needing adequate resources to successfully launch the office. “I would like to have a bipartisan effort to move this forward eventually. But I need to have more information. I apologize. I just feel strongly about this.”
Rep. Anabel Figueroa, D-Stamford, also said she needed more information before supporting Carpenter’s appointment.
“I think we, as elected officials, do have a duty to our constituents, to our taxpayers,” Figueroa said. “I think I have to side with them and say no to this position for now.”
Jaden Edison is a reporter for The Connecticut Mirror (https://ctmirror.org/ ). Copyright 2024 © The Connecticut Mirror.
Luxury Homes
Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994.
Former “Today” show host Kathie Lee Gifford is selling her sprawling 13,163-square-foot Connecticut home. The asking price? $100,000,000.
Dubbed “Cedar Cliff,” the Greenwich estate at 108 Cedar Cliff in the Riverside section of town, was once owned by railroad tycoon Henry F. Shoemaker. Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, football legend Frank Gifford, purchased the house in 1994 for $7.8 million . The 13,163-square-foot, 29-room estate has eight bedrooms and 14 bathrooms (nine full, five half).
“They added a substantial addition to the house to make it work for their lifestyle,” listing agent Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty said. That addition is the east wing of the house, constructed in the early 2000s, which includes a private theater and wine cellar.
The eight bedrooms are similarly sized and have views of Greenwich Cove. The primary bedroom and two guest bedrooms have a balcony as well. The estate has a greenhouse, a screened porch, a sun room, a tennis court, and a billiards room currently containing Frank Gifford memorabilia. There are 10 fireplaces throughout the house.
Within the 2.91-acre gated peninsula is a spa, pool, and pool house.
McElwreath said “empty nester” Gifford is selling the property because “her children are grown and are married with their own children. Kathie Lee spends most of her time in Tennessee and is no longer using the house full-time.”
The house has a recently installed Ludowici terra cotta roof, sun decks that have been rebuilt, and there is access to a full-property generator as well as a private beach.
McElwreath said there are additional aspects that make this property worth the monstrous price tag.
“The setting is extraordinary. Elevated high above the water with over 1,250 feet of frontage, the property offers the rare combination of commanding panoramic views and direct waterfront access via a private pier and deep water dock,” she said.
McElwreath said the kind of buyer looking at this property is attracted to Greenwich for its high quality of life and proximity to Midtown Manhattan.
”High net-worth buyers do not compromise. They seek exceptional properties in prime locations. Cedar Cliff is a one-of-a-kind opportunity and will attract buyers looking for privacy and resort-like amenities,” McElwreath said.
The task of selling the estate was entrusted to McElwreath by Gifford after McElwreath represented the seller of Copper Beech Farm in Greenwich, which sold for just under $139,000,000 in 2023.
“[Copper Beach] is still the highest sale ever in Greenwich and the state of Connecticut. I plan to use the full resources of Sotheby’s International Realty to find the buyer for Cedar Cliff,” McElwreath said. “I also represented the seller of 100 Field Point Circle, the second highest sale in Greenwich at $50 million. My proven track record, combined with the marketing expertise of Sotheby’s, will prove to be a winning combination.”
Connecticut
Hailey Van Lith waived by Connecticut Sun after just nine games, marking second cut in under a month
Hailey Van Lith’s rocky WNBA start took another unexpected turn Thursday.
The Connecticut Sun waived Van Lith after just nine games with the team, including three starts.
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 25: Hailey Van Lith #2 of the Chicago Sky high five during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on August 25, 2025 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images) ((Photo by Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images))
TCU’s Hailey Van Lith poses before the WNBA basketball draft in New York on April 14, 2025. (Pamela Smith/AP)
Van Lith was once one of college basketball’s brightest stars at Louisville, but her path has become increasingly turbulent in recent years. After a disappointing stint at LSU stalled her momentum, Van Lith revived her draft stock with a standout final season at TCU.
CHICAGO SKY WAIVE HAILEY VAN LITH ONE YEAR AFTER SELECTING HER WITH THE 11TH OVERALL PICK
The former NIL standout was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She struggled to establish herself as a rookie, averaging 3.5 points and 1.6 assists in 12.4 minutes per game across 29 appearances before Chicago waived her on May 4.
Hailey Van Lith’s brief stint with the Connecticut Sun ended Thursday after the franchise waived the former first-round pick. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images) ((Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images))
Hailey van Lith drives past opponents during the women’s 3×3 basketball bronze medal game between the United States and Canada at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Aug. 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
TCU’s Hailey Van Lith jogs onto the court during introductions before the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament game against Louisville in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 23, 2025. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
Van Lith also helped Team USA win a bronze medal in 3×3 basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Connecticut quickly gave Van Lith a second chance, but the reunion lasted just over two weeks.
“The Connecticut Sun has activated Leïla Lacan,” the team announced on X. “In a corresponding move, Hailey Van Lith has been waived.”
EX-WNBA STAR CRITICAL OF SKY ROOKIE HAILEY VAN LITH, BELIEVES POPULARITY PLAYED ROLE IN DRAFT SELECTION
The move comes as Lacan — the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft — returns after averaging 10.4 points and 3.7 assists with Connecticut last season.
Van Lith appeared in Wednesday’s 71-61 loss to Portland, finishing with seven points, no assists and two turnovers in 13 minutes.
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Van Lith averaged 8.1 points and 2.2 assists in nine appearances with Connecticut before Thursday’s move, marking her second waiver in less than a month.
The Connecticut Sun waived Hailey Van Lith on Thursday, ending the former college star’s nine-game stint with the franchise. ((Photo by Mollie Handkins/NBAE via Getty Images))
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The following article was submitted by Brody and Associates, LLC. It is posted here with permission.
The Connecticut legislature passed broad artificial intelligence legislation May 11, 2026 that includes a new framework governing the use of AI in employment-related decisions.
The bill, known as SB 5, is awaiting Gov. Ned Lamont’s signature, which is expected shortly.
Once enacted, Connecticut will join a growing list of jurisdictions that are imposing transparency and accountability requirements on employers that use AI tools in recruiting, hiring, promotion, discipline, scheduling, and termination decisions.
The statute regulates what it calls automated employment-related decision technology.
In general, AEDT refers to technology that processes personal data and generates an output that is a substantial factor in an employment decision.
The definition is broad enough to potentially cover resume-screening software, applicant ranking systems, video-interview analytics, skills assessments, productivity tools, and certain workforce management platforms when those tools materially influence personnel decisions.
What Does the Law Require?
The purpose of the law is to reduce the risk that algorithmic systems will continue or worsen historic discrimination while also giving applicants and employees more visibility into how these systems are used.
One of the most important features of the new law is its notice requirement.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2027, employers that deploy AEDT intended to interact with applicants or employees must disclose, in plain language, that the individual is interacting with such technology unless it would be obvious to a reasonable person.
When the tool’s output will be used as a substantial factor in making an employment-related decision, the employer must also provide a written notice before the decision is made.
The law does include protection for proprietary or trade secret information.
Notice must identify the purpose of the tool, the categories and sources of personal data being analyzed, how data will be assessed, and contact information for the employer.
If such employment-related decision is “adverse,” employers must provide a high-level statement disclosing the principal reasons for the decision, including “the degree to which, and manner in which” an AEDP output contributed to the decision, the type of data used, and the right to examine or correct such data.
The law does include protection for proprietary or trade secret information, but employers should not assume that vendor confidentiality excuses them from compliance.
If an employer withholds certain information regarding the AEDP based on a third party’s confidentiality claim, the employer must nevertheless disclose that the information is being withheld and identify the legal basis for the withholding.
As a practical matter, this means employers that rely on outside vendors for screening, testing, or candidate evaluation should begin reviewing vendor contracts now to ensure they can obtain the information needed to satisfy Connecticut’s notice obligations.
Anti-Discrimination and Related Obligations
The law also makes clear employers cannot avoid liability by blaming an algorithm.
Connecticut’s anti-discrimination framework will expressly provide the use of AI or automated systems is not a defense to a discrimination claim.
The employer may still be responsible even if the challenged output came from a third-party platform.
In other words, if an AEDT disproportionately screens out candidates or influences decisions in a way that has an unlawful discriminatory effect, the employer may still be responsible even if the challenged output came from a third-party platform.
This provision reinforces a principle regulators have increasingly emphasized nationwide: employers remain accountable for employment decisions, whether those decisions are made by people, software, or a combination of both.
What Employers Should Do Now
For employers, the immediate takeaway is AI governance can no longer be treated as an IT issue.
Human resources, legal, compliance, and procurement teams should collaborate to identify all tools used in recruiting or personnel management, assess whether those tools materially affect employment decisions, and determine what disclosures this new law may require.
Even companies that already use AI responsibly may need to formalize review procedures.
Employers should also assess whether internal policies, vendor agreements, and recordkeeping practices are sufficient to support compliance.
Even companies that already use AI responsibly may need to formalize review procedures, conduct bias testing, and create documentation explaining how automated outputs are considered by human decision-makers.
Connecticut’s new law reflects a broader regulatory trend: employers may continue using AI, but they must do so transparently, carefully, and with meaningful human accountability.
About the authors: Robert Brody is managing partner at Brody and Associates, LLC, which he founded in 1997. Matthew Chiota is a law clerk at Brody and Associates, awaiting admission to the Connecticut and New York Bar associations. Contact them at [email protected] or 203.454.0560.
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