Kosta Diamantis flees the United States for Greece, according to his attorney and federal prosecutors, leaving ahead of a scheduled sentencing in Bridgeport on corruption convictions tied to Connecticut school construction projects.
Diamantis, 70, a former senior state budget official and ex-Democratic state representative, was convicted by a federal jury in October 2025 on 21 counts including bribery and extortion. He faced the prospect of more than 10 years in prison at Thursday’s hearing. In a 10-page email to his lawyer, he denied any wrongdoing, accused Gov. Ned Lamont of politicizing the case, and said the prosecution had devastated his life and family.
Kosta Diamantis flees by boat and plane
Authorities did not specify when he left. Prosecutors said Diamantis traveled by boat from Florida to the Bahamas, then took a flight to London. Although he had surrendered his U.S. passport, they said he obtained a Greek passport. His attorney, Norman Pattis, said Diamantis called him Wednesday night from Greece and said he would not attend the sentencing.
A new sentencing date was set for Sept. 30. Prosecutors said a judge will decide next steps even if Diamantis remains abroad. Connecticut officials swiftly condemned his flight and moved to halt his state pension payments. Lamont said Diamantis “betrayed the public’s trust” and should be held accountable.
State Attorney General William Tong called the disappearance an insult to Connecticut residents and pledged to continue efforts to protect taxpayer funds.
Prosecutors sought a decade-long prison sentence
Prosecutors urged a term of 10 to 12 years. Pattis argued in filings for strict noncustodial conditions instead of prison. After court, he said he was surprised his client fled. He predicted Diamantis would have received at least four to five years, possibly up to 10 to 12, and said that while he could not endorse the decision legally, he understood it on a human level.
Former police Detective Brian Foley told a local station he expects federal authorities to devote significant resources to locating Diamantis and returning him to the United States.
Diamantis maintained his innocence since his arrest
Pattis shared Diamantis’ email with media outlets. In it, Diamantis wrote that “political weaponization” had cost him his home, law license, reputation, and livelihood. He urged federal officials in Washington to review his case and alleged Lamont used his office and connections to shield his own conduct. Separately, Diamantis faces another federal case accusing him of accepting bribes to halt a state audit of a doctor accused of Medicaid fraud.
Ongoing legal exposure and extradition questions
Jurors found that, from 2018 to 2021, Diamantis used his role leading the Office of School Construction Grants and Review to demand and receive thousands of dollars from contractors in exchange for preserving or securing multimillion-dollar school construction work. Witnesses described delivering cash in envelopes at locations including a restaurant restroom, a doughnut shop, and his home. Messages referred to some payments as “birthday cards,” “pars,” and “birdies.”
Diamantis testified that he accepted the money but said it was legitimate consulting income. The question of whether Greece will return him to the U.S. remains unresolved. Courts there have upheld the position that extradition of Greek nationals is prohibited.
