A federal grand jury indicted Robert Cappelletti, 60, of Middlebury, on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Authorities arrested him Thursday. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a $500,000 bond, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
The indictment says Cappelletti arranged the loan in 2022 on behalf of Maynard Road Corporation, a nonprofit that supported Meriden Housing Authority projects. Prosecutors say he signed a loan guarantee for the Meriden Housing Authority, too. Neither group’s board had approved the deal, the indictment alleges.
The lender sent nearly $14 million to the nonprofit after fees and costs. Prosecutors say Cappelletti later moved about $450,000 into his personal investment account and put $374,752.87 toward the mortgage on his home.
The allegations also reach Groton.
Prosecutors say Cappelletti directed Groton Housing Authority funds toward the loan, though that authority had neither signed nor guaranteed it. He told Groton housing officials the payments covered an upcoming development bond and would be repaid, according to the indictment. Prosecutors say he used forged invoices to back up that claim.
Cappelletti led the Meriden Housing Authority from about 2009 to May 2025. He also led the Groton Housing Authority from about 2016 to January 2025. Both agencies provide public housing for local families with low incomes.
He faces five wire fraud counts and four counts of making illegal monetary transactions, prosecutors said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
