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William Tong

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CT Dealership Accused Of Deceiving Customers, Charging 'Junk Fees': Attorney General CT Dealership Accused Of Deceiving Customers, Charging 'Junk Fees': Attorney General
CT Dealership Accused Of Deceiving Customers, Charging 'Junk Fees': Attorney General A car dealership in Connecticut is being accused of deceiving customers about the prices of its used cars and charging "junk fees" without consumers' consent, officials announced. These accusations were part of a complaint filed in US District Court against Hartford County auto dealer Manchester City Nissan by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and the Federal Trade Commission, Tong's office announced on Thursday, Jan. 4.  The complaint alleges that the dealership, located in Manchester at 30 Tolland Turnpike (Route 83), would often lie to customers about the prices of…

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by Ben Crnic
News
3K Foreign Contraband Cigarettes Seized, Destroyed By USPS In CT, Other States: Officials 3K Foreign Contraband Cigarettes Seized, Destroyed By USPS In CT, Other States: Officials
3K Foreign Contraband Cigarettes Seized, Destroyed By USPS In CT, Other States: Officials Around 3,000 packages of foreign contraband cigarettes bound for Connecticut, New York, and other states have been found and destroyed by the US Postal Service since the beginning of the year, officials said.  According to Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, the seizures were a result of a settlement between the USPS and several states in August 2022 that forced the Postal Service to destroy untaxed foreign cigarettes instead of returning the illegally-mailed packages back to the sender.  Of the 3,000 cigarette packages destroyed since the beginning of 2023, 44 had bee…

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by Ben Crnic
News
CT AG Opens Probe Into Greenwich Schools' Hiring Practices After Assistant Principal's Video CT AG Opens Probe Into Greenwich Schools' Hiring Practices After Assistant Principal's Video
CT AG Opens Probe Into Greenwich Schools' Hiring Practices After Assistant Principal's Video Connecticut's attorney general announced his office has launched a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices of a Fairfield County school district after a video went viral of an assistant principal making comments about his hiring practices. Attorney General William Tong said Thursday, Sept. 1, he plans to investigate the Greenwich Public School District for any potentially illegal discrimination or other actionable misconduct related to the video that "appears to contain troubling, discriminatory statements that appear to have been made by a Greenwich public school official." Th…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
COVID-19: AG Tong Now Fourth Top CT Official To Test Positive COVID-19: AG Tong Now Fourth Top CT Official To Test Positive
Covid-19: AG Tong Now Fourth Top CT Official To Test Positive Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has become the latest top state elected official to contract COVID-19 in the span of a week. Tong announced on Wednesday, April 13 that he has become the latest to test positive for the virus, joining the likes of Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and state Treasurer Shawn T. Wooden. Original story - COVID-19: Lamont Tests Positive Like Wooden, Tong said that he is experiencing mild symptoms, and he is isolating at home and plans to work from there for at least the next five days. Earlier story - COVID-19: State Treasurer Latest Top CT O…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Connecticut AG Issues Consumer Warning As Gas Prices Spike Connecticut AG Issues Consumer Warning As Gas Prices Spike
Connecticut AG Issues Consumer Warning As Gas Prices Spike With gas prices rising to record highs in Connecticut, Attorney General William Tong is cautioning consumers to be aware of potential price gouging at the pump. In Connecticut, the price of gas has risen to an average of $4.28 per gallon, the highest rate the state has recorded since May 2012. Earlier story - Here's Breakdown By County On How Much Gas Prices Have Increased In CT Since Last Week State statute requires that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) monitor the wholesale price of gasoline in the Hartford and New Haven areas, officials noted. When the who…

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by Zak Failla
News
CT To Receive $95M From Purdue Settlement, Create Opioid Survivors Trust, AG Says CT To Receive $95M From Purdue Settlement, Create Opioid Survivors Trust, AG Says
CT To Receive $95M From Purdue Settlement, Create Opioid Survivors Trust, AG Says Connecticut has big plans for its share of the $6 billion Purdue Pharma settlement after being one of nine agencies to appeal a previous settlement with the Sackler family. As part of the multi-billion dollar settlement, Connecticut is set to receive approximately $95 million, which is approximately 40 percent more than the previously vacated settlement that was appealed by state officials. Earlier story - Purdue Pharma Reaches $6B Settlement With US States Over Thousands Of Opioid-Related Lawsuits Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said that the money the state will receive as part…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
CT Attorney General Issues Alert For Dating App Scams CT Attorney General Issues Alert For Dating App Scams
CT Attorney General Issues Alert For Dating App Scams Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has issued an alert about common scams residents have experienced on dating apps. Scammers often attempt to earn an individual's trust by beginning an online relationship with them in order to steal the victim's money, Tong said in an announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 22. In addition to dating apps, scammers also contact victims on social media apps, such as Instagram and Facebook. “These heartless scammers prey upon people’s loneliness, isolation and their desire to be loved,” Tong said. “Be hypervigilant when a stranger contacts you online and a…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
CT Mom Sues Social Media Companies Over Daughter's Death CT Mom Sues Social Media Companies Over Daughter's Death
CT Mom Sues Social Media Companies Over Daughter's Death A Connecticut mother has sued Meta-owned Instagram and Snapchat alleging the two played a role in her 11-year-old daughter's suicide. Hartford County mother Tammy Rodriguez of Enfield said she noticed a change in her daughter, Selena, as she became addicted to the media platforms, reported Bloomberg News. The child suffered from depression and sleep deprivation after becoming addicted, Rodriguez alleged in a lawsuit filed in San Francisco federal court. Rodriguez said in the suit, Selena struggled for two years with "extreme addiction," and that the companies have deliberately de…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
CT To Have $19M In Student Debt Canceled As Part Of $1.85B Settlement CT To Have $19M In Student Debt Canceled As Part Of $1.85B Settlement
CT To Have $19M In Student Debt Canceled As Part Of $1.85B Settlement Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced that $19 million in loan debt is being canceled for student borrowers in the state after an investigation into one of the country's largest student loan servicers found it deceived thousands of borrowers. Tong said in an announcement on Thursday, Jan. 13, that a coalition of 39 attorneys general negotiated the $1.85 billion settlement with Navient.  A multistate investigation found that since 2009, Navient deceived thousands of student loan borrowers into forbearance plans that led them to pay more than they should have paid, Tong sai…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
State Takes Custody Of Eight Pit Bulls Involved In Dogfighting Investigation State Takes Custody Of Eight Pit Bulls Involved In Dogfighting Investigation
State Takes Custody Of Eight Pit Bulls Involved In Dogfighting Investigation State officials in Connecticut have taken custody of eight dogs in New Haven County that were part of an alleged multi-state dogfighting ring, authorities announced. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture was granted permanent custody by a judge of eight dogs that were seized in Meriden following an investigation into the alleged dogfighting ring. According to a Superior Court judge in Hartford, the dogs were neglected and cruelly treated before they were seized and handed over to the Department of Agriculture. An independent animal behaviorist is now evaluating the dogs to determine wh…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
CT Officials Caution About Cannabis Look-Alike Products Before Halloween CT Officials Caution About Cannabis Look-Alike Products Before Halloween
CT Officials Caution About Cannabis Look-Alike Products Before Halloween State officials in Connecticut are cautioning parents to be wary of cannabis edibles to ensure that no children have a bad trip on Halloween. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is warning the public about cannabis edibles and hemp derivatives in packaging designed to look like well-known snack foods and candy that could intentionally or accidentally be slipped to trick-or-treaters. In some instances, instead of “Chips Ahoy,” the THC items are dubbed “Trips Ahoy,” while “Oreos” are packaged as “Stoneos.” Related story - School District Warns Of THC-Laced Cookies Packaged As Br…

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by Zak Failla
News
Eversource Fined $29 Million For Isaias Response Eversource Fined $29 Million For Isaias Response
Eversource Fined $29 Million For Isaias Response Eversource is among the latest utility company to face millions in fines for its response during and after Tropical Storm Isaias. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) imposed a $29 million penalty against Eversource for what the company described as failures during the storm. Related story - NY Utility Companies Agree To Pay $86M In Settlements For Failed Isaias Response The fine comes the same week as four major utility companies in neighboring New York were hit with more than $86 million in fines for their response to Isaias. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who…

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by Zak Failla
News
Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts
Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts Law enforcement officials are cautioning of a new text message "smishing" scam that involves phony messages being sent from fraudsters posing as members of the US Postal Service (USPS). Alerts have been issued by state and federal officials following recent reports from consumers who have received messages claiming to be from USPS about a change in delivery shipment. The messages typically include a link that could potentially expose one to scammers looking to steal personal identifying information. Many who click the phony link have wound up being hacked or prompted to provide new informat…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
AGs From 12 States Request Social Media Companies Block Anti-Vaxxers AGs From 12 States Request Social Media Companies Block Anti-Vaxxers
AGs From 12 States Request Social Media Companies Block Anti-Vaxxers Attorneys general from a dozen states are calling for social media companies to block anti-vaxxers.   The coalition of 12 attorneys general are calling on Facebook and Twitter to "take stronger measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 vaccine disinformation being spread by "anti-vaxxers" on their social media platforms" as stated in a public letter to the CEOs. The letter cites a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate1, stating that “anti-vaxxer” accounts on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter reach more than 59 million followers. The letter specifically asks the CE…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns
Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns Federal and state officials are warning consumers to be vigilant when using “peer to peer” apps like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle to avoid losing money, giving out valuable personal information, or being victimized by scammers. Like any product, consumers must make informed decisions with regard to the use of financial technology products including the “peer to peer” applications for smartphones, otherwise known as “prepaid accounts” or “P2P account.”  P2P Apps have become increasingly popular through companies like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, and PayPal. While these apps can be used …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
No Data Caps For Now: Comcast To Delay Heavily-Criticized Plan To Limit Internet No Data Caps For Now: Comcast To Delay Heavily-Criticized Plan To Limit Internet
No Data Caps For Now: Comcast To Delay Heavily-Criticized Plan To Limit Internet Comcast’s highly-criticized move to implement internet data caps is being delayed. On Friday, Feb. 18, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued a statement welcoming Comcast’s announcement that they will postpone, what he called an “ill-timed” data cap until 2022. Comcast’s planned data caps went into effect on Jan. 1, in 12 states - including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania - plus Washington, D.C. The data caps were envisioned long before the pandemic hit. “Delaying this ill-timed data cap until at least 2022 is the right call. I have heard from…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures
CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is calling on Eversource to pay penalties and for damages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias last summer. Calling Eversource’s failure to communicate and protect public safety during and after the storm “imprudent,” Tong said that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) should mandate consumer credits and make all findings necessary to levy penalties. Last August, Isaias left more than 100,000 Eversource customers without power for several days, some more than week, which drew the ire of Tong and other elected officials in Connecticut. Accor…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Warning For Vaccine Scams Issued By Lamont, Other State Officials COVID-19: Warning For Vaccine Scams Issued By Lamont, Other State Officials
Covid-19: Warning For Vaccine Scams Issued By Lamont, Other State Officials Gov. Ned Lamont is warning Connecticut residents to be wary of new vaccination scams that have been making the rounds in the wake of the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. An alert was issued by Lamont and the Department of Health warning that "as the COVID-19 vaccine continues to become available to more people, they should be aware of potential scams related to the vaccine and be on the lookout for certain warning signs that can help them avoid being scammed.” Lamont made note that anyone from a legitimate vaccination distribution site in Connecticut will never ask for bank account informat…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Capitol Hill Riots Spark Outrage From Connecticut Political Leaders Capitol Hill Riots Spark Outrage From Connecticut Political Leaders
Capitol Hill Riots Spark Outrage From Connecticut Political Leaders Elected officials in Connecticut condemned the chaos that reigned supreme this week as Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building to show their support for his refusal to accept the results of November's presidential election. Following the riots in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, some of the Nutmeg State's top officials spoke out against the riots, during which four people died and dozens were taken into custody by police. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy expressed his outrage over what he called "a violent, fringe group of traitors to our nation who are not going away so long as Tru…

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by Zak Failla
News
CT AG Moves To Revoke, Reduce Pensions Of Ousted Bridgeport PD Chief, Personnel Director CT AG Moves To Revoke, Reduce Pensions Of Ousted Bridgeport PD Chief, Personnel Director
CT AG Moves To Revoke, Reduce Pensions Of Ousted Bridgeport PD Chief, Personnel Director Connecticut's attorney general wants to revoke the pensions of former Bridgeport Police Chief Armando (AJ) Perez and former Bridgeport Personnel Director David Dunn. Both Perez and Dunn, who have pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and making false statements, are scheduled to be sentenced within the next two months, said Attorney General William Tong. Tong made the announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 4, following the guilty pleas that involved a scheme to award Perez the Chief of Police position under false and fraudulent pretenses.  Perez currently receives a $102,072.36 annual pe…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Connecticut AG Blasts 'Offensive' Federal Lawsuit Accusing Yale Of Anti-White, -Asian Policy Connecticut AG Blasts 'Offensive' Federal Lawsuit Accusing Yale Of Anti-White, -Asian Policy
Connecticut AG Blasts 'Offensive' Federal Lawsuit Accusing Yale Of Anti-White, -Asian Policy The Connecticut AG is calling the U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Yale's alleged discrimination against white and Asian-American people “politically motivated,” “offensive” and a “complete overreach.” On Thursday, Oct. 8, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a lawsuit against Yale University alleging its admission policies are racist for seeking to racially “balance” the university’s population. Many colleges and universities create diversity recruitment goals in an effort to bolster equity. “The [Trump] Administration has fully embraced its racist mantle as the last gasp of this fai…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
CT Sues Exxon For 'Decades Of Deceit On Climate Change' CT Sues Exxon For 'Decades Of Deceit On Climate Change'
CT Sues Exxon For 'Decades Of Deceit On Climate Change' Connecticut is suing Exxon Mobil Corp. over alleged longterm deception about climate change as the state seeks to rake the oil and gas industry over the coals for the recent rise in the planet’s temperature. Attorney General William Tong announced he was suing under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act - which has no statute of limitations - alleging an “ongoing, systematic campaign of lies and deception to hide from the public what ExxonMobil has known for decades—that burning fossil fuels undeniably contributes to climate change.” Prosecutors allege that Exxon has knowingly burned f…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Tong Among State AGs Mobilizing To Stop Trump's 'Unconstitutional, Illegal' USPS Actions Tong Among State AGs Mobilizing To Stop Trump's 'Unconstitutional, Illegal' USPS Actions
Tong Among State AGs Mobilizing To Stop Trump's 'Unconstitutional, Illegal' USPS Actions Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has become the latest elected official to vow to battle President Donald Trump’s efforts to defund the U.S. Postal Service in advance of the November election. Stating that the federal government’s efforts to gut the USPS are aimed at hindering voting in the election, Tong announced that he was joining other attorneys general to stop the “unconstitutional and illegal” actions. “Donald Trump finally admitted what we all knew to be true—he is gutting the U.S. Postal Service in order to block Americans from voting during a raging pandemic,” Tong said. …

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by Zak Failla
News
Isaias: CT Residents Warned Of Storm-Related Repair Scams Isaias: CT Residents Warned Of Storm-Related Repair Scams
Isaias: CT Residents Warned Of Storm-Related Repair Scams Connecticut residents have been cautioned to be wary of opportunistic fraudsters taking advantage in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias. State Attorney General William Tong issued an alert this week warning that residents should be aware of tree removal, power restoration, or other repair scams in areas still without power or where heavy damage resulted from the storm. Tong said that after past significant storms and weather events, Connecticut residents have reported individuals, some claiming to work for utility companies, going door to door offering to reconnect electric power, repair ro…

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by Zak Failla
News
Isaias: Eversource, UI Reject Demands For Reimbursements For Food, Medicine After Outages Isaias: Eversource, UI Reject Demands For Reimbursements For Food, Medicine After Outages
Isaias: Eversource, UI Reject Demands For Reimbursements For Food, Medicine After Outages Despite calls to reimburse customers for costs incurred due to power outages after Tropical Storm Isaias barreled through the region, Eversource and United Illuminating are showing resistance to complying. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Gov. Ned Lamont both demanded the company reimburse customers, Eversource has thus far been reluctant to provide relief, despite utility companies in neighboring states reimbursing for prescription medication and food that spoiled during the storm cleanup. "Eversource and UI need to do the right thing as ConEd has done in New York and reimbur…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: CT Attorney General Warns Of Scam Exploiting Pandemic COVID-19: CT Attorney General Warns Of Scam Exploiting Pandemic
Covid-19: CT Attorney General Warns Of Scam Exploiting Pandemic While millions are hunkered down in their homes amid fears of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is cautioning residents to be wary of opportunistic scammers looking to take advantage of the pandemic. Tong and the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection said they have seen a recent rise in reports of scam activity surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. With stimulus checks expected to start being sent out sooner than later, Tong is warning residents to be cautious. “Unfortunately, in moments like this people are trying to take advant…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Amazon's Not Monitoring Price Gouging Enough, CT AG Says COVID-19: Amazon's Not Monitoring Price Gouging Enough, CT AG Says
Covid-19: Amazon's Not Monitoring Price Gouging Enough, CT AG Says Amazon is failing to police its websites for illegal markups of merchandise, says Connecticut's attorney general, and any residents should report price gouging to his office. AG William Tong sent a letter to Amazon on Thursday, March 19 seeking information from the online retailer regarding efforts to detect and combat price gouging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter follows a complaint from a Connecticut consumer who recently attempted to purchase two types of 3M face masks through Amazon.  The consumer was charged nearly $400 in shipment fees for two small boxes of face masks …

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
More Than $103K Missing From Sandy Hook Victims Fund, State Audit Finds More Than $103K Missing From Sandy Hook Victims Fund, State Audit Finds
More Than $103K Missing From Sandy Hook Victims Fund, State Audit Finds An audit requested by the state legislature found that more than $100,000 was unaccounted for from the Sandy Hook Victims Fund. The Fund - which is earmarked to help first responders and teachers who were at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on the day a gunman killed 26 people seven years ago - was reportedly co-mingled with cash from other sources, rather than being kept in a separate account of its own. In total, approximately $103,000 is missing, and auditors are currently unable to determine what the misappropriated funds were used for. The Office of Victim Services administ…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Connecticut Sues To Block Trump Administration's Abortion 'Gag Rule' Connecticut Sues To Block Trump Administration's Abortion 'Gag Rule'
Connecticut Sues To Block Trump Administration's Abortion 'Gag Rule' New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the state is one of 21 to file a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration new measure that restricts access to abortion and other reproductive health services. A coalition of 21 State AttorneysGeneral announced that they will be challenging the constitutionality of the Trump administration’s new “gag rule” which alters the Title X family planning program. According to James, the rule relates to funding for Title X, the only federal grant program that funds family planning programs to help patients access contraception, ca…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
7 Biggest Takeaways From CT Election Results 7 Biggest Takeaways From CT Election Results
7 Biggest Takeaways From CT Election Results For Connecticut political history buffs, the Nov. 6 election delivered some major firsts and a predictably close race. Public opinion polls forecast it, and it proved true: Democrat Ned Lamont of Greenwich won the governor's race in a narrow victory over Republican Bob Stefanowski of Madison.  As the attached map shows, Lamont's greatest support came from Fairfield County, the northeastern corner of Connecticut and the cities of Bridgeport, Danbury, New Haven, Hartford and Stamford. An anti-President Trump vote was seen as helping Lamont from Danbury to Westport. Close gubernatorial e…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
First Asian-American, 'Activist' Attorney General Elected To Statewide Office In Connecticut First Asian-American, 'Activist' Attorney General Elected To Statewide Office In Connecticut
First Asian-American, 'Activist' Attorney General Elected To Statewide Office In Connecticut A 45-year-old state representative from Stamford who grew up in the Hartford area marked another first for Connecticut politics on Election Day. William Tong became the first Asian-American in the state's history to win a statewide office with his election as Attorney General. Tong, the son of Chinese immigrants, has served six terms in the Connecticut House.  Not only has Tong spoken out against President Trump's anti-immigrant stances, like banning birthright citizenship, but he has pledged to be an "activist attorney general," meaning he is expected to join other states in lawsuits…

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by Jon Craig