BETHANY, Conn. — The Bethany Board of Selectmen has approved an independent investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse made against former town employee, Anthony Mastrangelo.
The decision was made during a regular board meeting Tuesday night, following continued calls for accountability from parents and residents.
Mastrangelo was arrested in June for allegedly sexually assaulting five young girls while working in different roles as a town employee, including in the Parks and Rec Department.
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The board has selected Pullman & Comley to lead the investigation, the same firm that conducted an investigation into sexual abuse allegations within the Diocese of Bridgeport back in 2019.
Robert Brinton of the Bethany Board of Selectmen said there were around six options the board was considering, but Pullman & Comley seemed like the best fit.
“I was impressed with their project planning and approach, and we felt that their fees were a little more moderate than some of the other firms,” said Brinton.
An additional $75,000 was approved to cover the investigation.
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As the board works to get a retainer agreement with the firm, residents are hoping for answers they believe are long overdue.
Among them is Amy Lestinsky, a mother of an alleged victim.
“I’m hoping the investigation will explain as to why we have not had proper protocols and procedures in the park and rec department. Why even our higher ups didn’t do anything when they could have,” said Lestinsky. “As to whether or not it’s going to bring closure, I personally, as a mother of a victim, I’ll never have closure, but I do hope... I think it’s going to help some people to a certain extent to maybe try to start to heal."
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The town now has to get a retainer agreement from the firm to begin the investigation, which can take anywhere between two to four months to complete.
Bethany First Selectwoman Paula Cofrancesco did not wish to comment on camera regarding the investigation but said she feels for all the families impacted by the alleged sexual assault and believes some of the ongoing criticism she’s facing is misdirected.
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Kaelee Collins is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kcollins@fox61.com. Follow her on X, and Instagram.
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