Mariano faces new disciplinary charges. Democratic probate judge failed to report criminal convictions to bar authority.

Peter Mariano, the Naugatuck Democrat seeking a fifth term as probate judge, has seen his troubles grow this week. On Tuesday, the Bar Disciplinary Counsel filed an amended presentment accused Mariano of failing to report four May criminal convictions to the Statewide Grievance Committee.

Mariano was arrested four times in 2021, three times for driving under the influence and twice for driving with a suspended license. On May 9th of this year, Mariano entered guilty pleas to two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and two counts of reckless endangerment. The pleas, according to the amended presentment, “qualify as [Mariano] being found guilty of a serious crime” under the state Practice Book.

During his arrests, Mariano repeatedly raised with Naugatuck police officers his friendships with the chief and deputy chief of their department.

Mariano, who surrendered his license to practice law early in 2021, was obligated to report the convictions to the grievance committee that oversees lawyers admitted to practice in Connecticut. “An attorney’s failure to send timely written notice of his or her finding of guilt required by this section shall constitute misconduct. . . .,” according to the rules governing lawyers’ conduct.

The charges are another setback for Mariano. He has been claiming during his campaign that his license to practice law would be restored before the November 8th election. Mariano lost an August 9th Republican primary to endorsed candidate Rosa Rebimbas. The district is comprised of Beacon Falls, Middlebury, Naugatuck and Prospect. Democratic delegates in the four towns nominated Mariano as their candidate after he was released from jail in May. The longtime Republican switched his party registration after losing the primary to Rebimbas and became a Democrat.

Governor Ned Lamont, Mariano’s fellow Democrat, has said he should not be seeking re-election.

Published October 20, 2022.