Public Defender Diana Gomez’s nomination for Superior Court expected to be withdrawn after colleagues raise concerns.

Governor Ned Lamont’s nomination of Diana Gomez for the Superior Court was expected to be withdrawn on Wednesday, two days after the public defender appeared before the Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing. Gomez was the subject of considerable and detailed criticism of her conduct by other public defenders. Gomez was not included in the roll call vote with the other 12 Superior Court nominees.

State Representative Craig Fishbein (R-Wallingford), the committee’s House ranking member, expressed his dismay at Monday’s hearing. Fishbein, Daily Ructions has learned, examined the transcript of Gomez’s testimony, compared it to the available record, and presented his findings to the committee’s co-chairs.

Members received a letter Tuesday from a public defender, Rosanna Capetta, who had worked with Gomez in Derby. The letter, attached below, shares alleged difficulties she endured working in the same office as Gomez that go beyond typical workplace differences. Capetta emphasized what she calls Gomez’s “vindictive nature,” accusing her of creating a “toxic work environment” that seems to have been known by others.

The Gomez controversy once more raises the issue of what due diligence the Judicial Selection Commission and the governor’s top aides perform before nominating lawyers to the bench, where each day they can irrevocably affect scores of lives.

Published February 26, 2025.