Attorney General Tong Sues to Revoke Pension for Kosta Diamantis

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09/30/2026

Attorney General Tong Sues to Revoke Pension for Kosta Diamantis

(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today moved to revoke the pension of former state official Kosta Diamantis following his sentencing in absentia in federal court today on multiple counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy and false statements related to abuse of his state position overseeing school construction contracts. Under federal law, a conviction is deemed final post-sentencing.

Diamantis was found guilty at trial on October 22, 2025. He fled the country in advance of an initially scheduled sentencing hearing on September 17.

"Kosta Diamantis was convicted of demanding bribes from contractors and lying to federal investigators. He has refused to accept responsibility for his crimes against taxpayers and the state of Connecticut. Because of his arrogant and brazen misconduct, the State of Connecticut is now asking the court to find that he forfeited his right to receive a taxpayer-funded pension. We will go after him with the full force of the law to revoke his pension and do our part to see that he is brought to justice here in Connecticut," said Attorney General Tong.

Under state statute enacted in 2008, the Attorney General is required to initiate a civil action seeking reduction or revocation of the pension of any state or municipal official who, in state or federal court, is convicted of or pleads guilty to a crime related to their state or municipal office on or after October 1, 2008.

Any state or municipal official convicted on corruption-related charges - defined specifically in the law as embezzling public funds; committing felony theft from the state; bribery in connection with one's service as a state or municipal employee; or committing a felony with intent to defraud in order to obtain a profit, gain or advantage for themselves or someone else - could face court action to reduce or revoke their pension.

In determining whether to revoke or reduce a pension, the court is required to consider the following factors: (1) the severity of the crime; (2) the amount of monetary loss; (3) the degree of public trust reposed in the defendant; (4) if the crime was part of a fraudulent scheme, the role of the defendant in the scheme; and (5) any such other factors as, in the judgment of the court, justice may require.

Since the Pension Revocation Law took effect in 2008, the Office of the Attorney General has brought 32 cases, including today's action against Diamantis. The Office of the Attorney General has litigated 30 cases with one currently pending, of which 12 resulted in revocation of the defendant's pension, 10 resulted in a partial reduction of the defendant's pension, and 8 resulted in no revocation or reduction of the defendant's pension.

Assistant Attorney General Eric Babbs and Assistant Attorney General Christine Miller, Forensic Fraud Examiner Lisa Bailey, and Deputy Associate Attorney General Gregory O'Connell, Chief of the Government Fraud Section are assisting the Attorney General in this matter.
Twitter: @AGWilliamTong Facebook: CT Attorney General

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Benton
[email protected]

Consumer Inquiries:

860-808-5318
[email protected]

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