Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, a former senior budget official for Connecticut’s Democratic governor and a onetime Democratic state representative, fled the United States ahead of his sentencing in a federal corruption case and is now in Greece, according to Headline USA, in reporting adapted from the Associated Press. His attorney, Norman Pattis, told a federal judge that Diamantis called him Wednesday night from Greece and said he would not attend Thursday’s sentencing in Bridgeport.
Prosecutors outline escape route; extradition questions
Federal prosecutors told the court that Diamantis traveled by boat from Florida to the Bahamas and then boarded a plane to London. They said that although he had surrendered his U.S. passport, he obtained a Greek passport. Authorities and Pattis did not say when Diamantis left the United States. The report notes that Greek courts have upheld the claim that extradition of Greek nationals is forbidden, leaving the prospects of returning Diamantis to the U.S. unclear.
Judge resets sentencing; officials move to halt pension
U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill set a new sentencing date for Sept. 30 and said it would proceed with or without Diamantis present, according to the report. Connecticut officials condemned the flight and took steps to stop Diamantis’ state pension payments, the story states. Gov. Ned Lamont said, “Kosta Diamantis betrayed the public’s trust and needs to be held accountable for his actions… His repeated efforts to skirt justice are shameful. I hope he is apprehended and made to face the music as soon as possible.” State Attorney General William Tong called Diamantis’ disappearance “a shameful insult to every person in Connecticut.”
What the jury found — and what comes next
A federal jury convicted Diamantis last year of extorting private contractors for thousands of dollars in bribes from 2018 to 2021 in exchange for help obtaining or keeping work on multimillion‑dollar school construction contracts, the report says. Witnesses testified about handing him envelopes of cash in locations including a restaurant men’s room, a doughnut shop, and at his home; some payments were described in messages as “birthday cards,” “pars,” and “birdies.” Diamantis, who testified, acknowledged receiving money but said it was legitimate consulting income, according to the report.
Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a 10‑ to 12‑year prison term. Pattis sought a sentence with no prison time and strict release conditions. Speaking to reporters after the court hearing, Pattis said he was surprised his client fled and estimated Diamantis “would have gotten at least four or five years, perhaps 10 to 12.”
Diamantis’ claims in a 10‑page email
Pattis provided media with a 10‑page email from Diamantis asserting that Gov. Lamont had “weaponiz[ed]” the justice system against him. “I have lost everything that took me an entire lifetime to earn and more,” Diamantis wrote, listing personal and professional losses. He also said he hoped former President Donald Trump and the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington would review his case, and he alleged Lamont used “the power of his office and his powerful friendship with President Biden” to create “an insular system of justice.” These are Diamantis’ claims as reported; they have not been substantiated in court.
Dual citizenship and a second pending case
Diamantis holds American and Greek citizenship, according to the report. He previously told reporters he was afraid to go to prison. In a separate federal case that remains pending, he is accused of taking bribes to quash a state audit of an eye doctor accused of Medicaid fraud.
