Convicted Connecticut School-Construction Official Flees to Greece and Skips Sentencing

A federal judge in Bridgeport presided over the sentencing of Konstantinos Diamantis, the ex-director of Connecticut’s school-construction program, but the defendant was absent, having fled to northern Greece weeks before the hearing. Convicted on 21 counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy and lying to the FBI, Diamantis has been using media appearances and an eight-page manifesto to assert his innocence and request a pardon from the president.

State officials, including Governor Ned Lamont’s office, have rejected his claims and are working to strip his pension and seize assets. His dual citizenship complicates extradition, and his flight may jeopardize his right to appeal. The case highlighted extensive payoffs tied to school projects in towns like Tolland, with contractors linked to Diamantis’s family receiving millions. Despite a seven-year sentence, Diamantis continues to argue that he is a victim of political warfare.