HARTFORD – Mayor Pedro Segarra said last week that although he was at first “extremely angry” about the actions of Jared Kupiec, his former chief of staff, he won’t let Kupiec’s arrest sway the public’s trust in city hall, something he’s worked to rebuild.
“We have to play by certain rules. Initially, I was extremely angry and now I think I’m just a little disillusioned,” Segarra said, referring to Kupiec’s arrest Tuesday on misdemeanor charges related to his use of a city vehicle after leaving his job. “I always hope that people would exercise good judgment in making decisions. I found out that in public service you could do a lot of good and ultimately a couple of bad mistakes can be very defining.”
Kupiec was charged with using a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission and interfering with police. Authorities say that he used a city vehicle without permission after leaving his city hall job on June 21. Kupiec is due to be arraigned in court Thursday, Aug. 8.
“I think the way this matter was handled shows this administration is unwilling to sweep things under the rug,” Segarra said during a telephone interview Wednesday while on vacation. “Whenever I see anything within my administration that merits the attention of law enforcement, I address it.”