Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas New Britain Over Former Mayor Erin Stewart's Spending

Federal authorities issued a grand jury subpoena to the city of New Britain for spending records involving former Mayor Erin Stewart. The U.S. Attorney’s office is investigating over $200,000 in municipal credit card charges and a $31,000 tuition reimbursement, according to documents obtained by The Courant.

The subpoena arrives as part of parallel state and federal investigations. Current New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez characterized the spending as a series of “self-serving” decisions made by Stewart during her 12 years in office.

Why is the U.S. Attorney’s office investigating Erin Stewart?

The federal investigation focuses on the use of a municipal purchasing card, or P-Card, and the reimbursement of personal educational costs. The subpoena orders the city to produce all account statements, receipts, and expense reports for the card assigned to Stewart.

Records obtained by The Courant show Stewart charged $207,076.07 to the city card between 2016 and 2025. The U.S. Attorney’s office is also seeking documents regarding a $31,000 reimbursement for a master’s degree program in public administration at the University of New Haven.

Did You Know? Stewart’s P-Card charges included $19,000 in groceries, as well as cosmetics, bed linens, children’s toys, and clothing for men, women, and children.

What specific expenses were flagged in the investigation?

Many of the charges were itemized on city records as “office supplies,” according to The Courant. This includes $18,342.79 for a membership at the private Hartford Club in downtown Hartford, which the city began paying in 2017.

The records also show the city paid for a political fundraising event at The Hartford Club in September 2017. Other flagged expenses include gifts and decorations for family birthday parties.

The federal subpoena specifically requests the names of all city finance directors from June 2016 to November 2025. Under city policy, these directors are responsible for ensuring P-Card use prohibits personal purchases.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the focus on finance directors suggests investigators are examining not just the spending itself, but the internal oversight mechanisms that allowed these charges to be approved for over a decade.

How does the Mayor’s Trophy Charitable Fund relate to the case?

Federal authorities have ordered New Britain to produce all documents related to the Mayor’s Trophy Charitable Fund, a charity Stewart controls. The request includes bank statements, contribution lists, and records of payouts.

The Courant reported at least one instance where the Mayor’s Trophy fund reimbursed the city for a charge Stewart made on her P-Card. This connection led State Attorney General William Tong and the state Department of Consumer Protection to issue a separate subpoena for charity records.

What are the financial and political consequences?

Mayor Bobby Sanchez has demanded restitution from Stewart for “improper” payments. The amount demanded already exceeds a quarter million dollars and continues to grow as the city pays for legal expenses and the investigation.

FBI subpoenas New Britain as investigation into former Mayor Erin Stewart expands

The investigation was triggered after Sanchez hired the Crumbie Law Group of Hartford to review spending following complaints heard upon taking office. Stewart also received a $150,000 severance package, which critics have described as overly generous.

Stewart, a Republican, withdrew from the GOP gubernatorial nominating race days before the convention after her credit card records became public.

What may happen next?

The city may be required to turn over extensive internal communications and audit documents to federal prosecutors. This could lead to a clearer determination of which finance directors approved the expenditures.

Further restitution demands are likely as the Crumbie Law Group continues its review. Depending on the findings of the parallel state and federal probes, additional legal actions could be pursued regarding the Mayor’s Trophy Charitable Fund.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Erin Stewart charge to the city P-Card?
According to records obtained by The Courant, Stewart charged $207,076.07 to the city card between 2016 and 2025.

What other payments are under scrutiny besides the P-Card?
The investigation includes a $31,000 reimbursement for a master’s degree at the University of New Haven and a $150,000 severance package.

Who is leading the investigation into the spending?
The current Mayor, Bobby Sanchez, commissioned an initial investigation by the Crumbie Law Group, which led to parallel investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s office, State Attorney General William Tong, and the state Department of Consumer Protection.

How should municipal governments balance executive autonomy with financial oversight?

Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas New Britain Over Former Mayor Erin Stewart’s Spending