Connecticut
US Connecticut Fires Chief Public Defender for raising unfounded racism allegations
The US Connecticut Public Defender Services Commission (PDSC) unanimously terminated TaShun Bowden-Lewis from her position as Connecticut’s Chief Public Defender on Tuesday. Bowden-Lewis, who was the first Black person to hold the role, was fired for misconduct since her assumption of the role two years ago.
According to the Commission’s 113-page decision, her tenure was marked by “significant administrative challenges and a failure to meet the professional standards expected of the office.” The commission succinctly accused Bowden-Lewis of creating a hostile working environment by raising baseless discrimination allegations. Specific allegations against Bowden-Lewis included improper management practices, lack of transparency, and failure to address staff grievances adequately. Upon the hearing, the commission panel unanimously found that fifteen of the sixteen charges were substantiated. The panel ruled that Bowden-Lewis “demonstrated inability or unwillingness to acknowledge the impropriety of her conduct”, stating removal was necessary despite her “long laudatory service” as a public defender before becoming Chief. She had been reprimanded by the Commission in October 2023 and placed on paid administrative leave in February 2024 pending the investigation.
Bowden-Lewis was appointed in June 2022 to great acclaim. However, her relationship with the Commission quickly soured as she began challenging its authority. In a March 6, 2023 letter, Bowden-Lewis’s lawyer accused the Commission of “hyper-scrutinizing and undermining her decisions” as a “pretext for discrimination.” According to the decision, all but one member of the then-Commission resigned after Bowden-Lewis accused them of racial discrimination. A new Commission was appointed but the concerns continued. The letter also revealed that two separate investigations had been initiated against Bowden-Lewis.
At an April 2024 hearing, Bowden-Lewis denied 16 misconduct allegations against her. Her attorney Thomas Bucci indicated they will challenge the firing decision, possibly in federal court or through complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights. The public defender’s union, which voted no confidence in Bowden-Lewis 121-9 in February 2024, supported the Commission’s decision.
Also in a letter dated May 23, the National Legal Aid & Defender Association and National Association for Public Defense expressed their concerns about the proceedings and urged adherence to principles of defender independence. The letter stated that “Chief Bowden-Lewis’s effort to promote racial equity, inclusion, and community engagement should be applauded by the Commission, not used as a basis for discipline.” It further emphasizes that the commission should take into account the role implicit and explicit racial bias may have played in the matter before handing down its ruling. The associations also argued that “[r]ecent efforts by the Commission to limit Chief Bowden-Lewis’s authority to make personnel decisions and control the operations of public defender services are inconsistent with ABA principles and national standards.”
Connecticut
5 Connecticut towns to receive $2M each for infrastructure upgrades
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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