Appellate Court rejects Giordano appeal of release denial.

Twenty years after his conviction for sexually abusing 9- and 11-year-old girls, Philip Giordano, the former mayor of Waterbury, has lost another round in his attempt to get out of federal prison. Today the Second Circuit Court of Appeals reject Giordano’s appeal of a U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill’s denial of Giordano’s bid for release.

Judge Underhill noted in his 2022 decision that the good works Giordano claimed to be performing in prison included details the 2000 Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate omitted. Giordano, the judge pointed out “had been disciplined for taking money from prisoners in exchange for legal work,” according to a WTNH report.

The appellate court noted in its decision released today noted that Judge Underhill did not abuse his discretion to in denying Giordano’s claim that “severe health concerns, his age, rehabilitation, [and] family circumstances” should compel his release 20 years into his 37-year sentence. Giordano also complained about the length of his sentence.

The Giordano case shocked the state when details of his chilling predatory behavior became public during his 2003 trial. They have lost none of their power.

Published December 13, 2023.