The dramatic fall of Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, Connecticut’s former school construction chief, reached its peak Wednesday when a federal jury convicted him on multiple corruption charges — a verdict that painted a damning picture of power, greed, and betrayal inside the state’s billion-dollar school building program.

After nearly nine and a half hours of deliberation over three days, jurors found Diamantis guilty of accepting bribes, committing extortion, and lying to both the FBI and IRS, concluding that the once-prominent official used his public post to enrich himself while betraying taxpayers. Diamantis, stone-faced, sat quietly as the verdict was read.

A Web of Bribes and Lies

The May 2024 indictment charged Diamantis — then director of the Office of School Construction Grants and Review — with two counts of bribery, two of extortion, four of conspiracy, and 14 counts of lying to federal agents. Prosecutors dropped one lying charge mid-trial, leaving 21 counts before the jury.

Prosecutors said Diamantis struck illicit deals with subcontractor Acranom Masonry Inc., allegedly accepting cash in exchange for resolving a dispute over project delays in Hartford and securing Acranom’s role in later phases of construction.

On the witness stand, Diamantis admitted to taking money but claimed he did so as part of a legitimate “referral fee” arrangement. He cited McDonnell v. United States and U.S. v. Silver, arguing that his actions were permissible under existing precedent.

“Dirtiest Hands of All”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis dismantled that defense, calling Diamantis’ testimony “an outright confession.”

“A referral fee on a school construction project amounts to an admission,” Francis told jurors, labeling Diamantis’ hands as “the dirtiest of all.”

His colleague, Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick, branded Diamantis a “corrupt public official” who traded his office for cash and favors.

Three cooperating witnesses — John Duffy, Sal Monarca, and Antonietta Roy — testified that Diamantis used fear and influence to extract payments and favors. Duffy, Acranom’s vice president and Diamantis’ former brother-in-law, described threats to block his firm from future state projects.

Monarca recounted handing Diamantis cash at bars, bathrooms, and even Dunkin’ Donuts, while Roy testified she was pressured to hire Diamantis’ daughter for $45 per hour “to keep her contracts safe.”

Defense Fires Back

Defense attorney Norm Pattis of Pattis & Paz LLC attacked the witnesses as “self-professed liars” desperate to reduce their own sentences. He argued that Diamantis’ daughter was hired on merit and that Duffy acted as a “double agent” seeking kickbacks for himself.

Pattis also challenged the government’s use of the Hobbs Act, saying prosecutors failed to prove that the alleged bribes impacted interstate commerce — a key element for federal extortion charges.

Still, jurors sided with prosecutors on every major point.

Political Fallout and Next Steps

The scandal has reverberated through Connecticut’s political ranks. In October 2021, Gov. Ned Lamont placed Diamantis on administrative leave from his budget office post before he ultimately resigned and retired.

Adding to his legal troubles, Diamantis faces a second indictment — set for trial in January — accusing him and former lawmaker Christopher Ziogas of taking bribes to derail a state audit involving Ziogas’ fiancée, who has since admitted to healthcare fraud.

The Ex-Conn School Official Corruption suit marks one of the most significant public integrity prosecutions in the state’s recent history — a cautionary tale of how power, when unchecked, can corrupt even those tasked with building the schools of the future.

The government is represented by Jonathan N. Francis and David E. Novick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Diamantis is represented by Norman A. Pattis of Pattis & Paz LLC.