Council chair scolded for supporting leak

RICHARD WEIZEL
04/15/2008 11:14:22 PM EDT

STRATFORD — The recent leak of personnel information for police officer job applicant Christian Miron — brother of Mayor James R. Miron — sparked debate during Monday night's Town Council meeting.

Council members and residents laced into council Chairman Michael Henrick, R-10, for commending those who leaked Christian Miron's confidential personnel information, including a background check, polygraph test and physical status.

Henrick, meanwhile, called Monday on the Police Department to "ensure this kind of release of information that puts the town at great risk of liability never happens again."

After the personnel data was released to the media and some council members nearly three weeks ago, Henrick told the Connecticut Post whoever leaked the information "should be commended.'' Both an internal probe within he department and investigation by the Chief State's Attorney's Office have been launched to determine who illegally released the documents, which also raised questions about Miron's ability to be a police officer.

But during a council meeting Monday after Henrick asked Town Attorney Richard Buturla what was being done to prevent such leaks in the future, two council members reminded the chairman he had previously defended those who released the files.

Council Minority Leader Alvin O'Neal, D-2, and Councilwoman Emma Brooks, D-4, told Henrick he can't have it both ways.

"Help me understand this. In one breath you said you commended the people who did it, and in the other breath you said we have to find the people who did this and make sure it never happens again," O'Neal said. "How can you say both?" Brooks said Henrick was being "hypocritical."

"You can't applaud someone for breaking the law and seriously breaching security, and then want to ensure the people who did it are caught and punished," Brooks said. "Mr. Henrick is talking out of both sides of his mouth."

James Sinnott, former chairman of the Mayor's Citizen Advisory Committee, also criticized Henrick for his earlier remarks.

"The issue is that the recognized leader of this council, Michael Henrick, made in my opinion statements that should have been challenged by many of you sitting on this council," Sinnott said.

But Henrick countered there was no conflict in his comments.

If other council members "knew what I know, and read what I read in the report, they would understand why I said what I did," Henrick said. "But I'm not going to retract my statements.

"It's a bad situation on both sides, and I believe it is a shame it had to come to this where people felt they had to go to such extremes to expose a situation involving nepotism and the inevitable hiring of an applicant not qualified for the position," Henrick said Tuesday. "I'm sure the people who released this information didn't do it with malice."

Miron, 29, was issued a conditional offer of employment despite a detailed, nine-page background investigation that raised questions about whether he is fit for police work.

Police Chief John Buturla has said if and when those responsible for the leak are identified, "they will receive the full extent of discipline, up to and including dismissal."