Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

Due to public health concerns, CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS scheduled for the weeks of March 16 and March 23 are POSTPONED. The regular meeting of the FOI Commission scheduled for March 25, 2020, is CANCELED.

Final Decision FIC2015-441
In the Matter of a Complaint by
 FINAL DECISION
Michael Pacelia,
     Complainant
     against
 Docket #FIC 2015-441
Assistant Legal Director, State
of Connecticut, Department of
Children and Families; and State
of Connecticut, Department of
Children and Families,
     Respondents
January 27, 2016

     The above-captioned matter was scheduled to be heard as a contested case on November 24, 2015 at 2:30 P.M, at which time Attorney Thomas DeMatteo, Assistant Legal Director for the Department of Children and Families, appeared on behalf of the respondents, but the complainant did not appear to prosecute the case.
     The hearing officer notes that Attorney DeMatteo represented that, prior to the scheduled hearing, he had spent considerable time assembling, reviewing, and disclosing responsive records to the complainant.  In fact, in connection with the instant request, Attorney DeMatteo represented that he had disclosed approximately 600 pages of responsive records free of charge to the complainant.  He further represented that, after having disclosed such records, he inquired with the complainant as to whether any part of the request remained outstanding, but did not receive a response. 
     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:
     1. The complaint is hereby dismissed.
     2. The complainant is admonished for his failure to appear at the hearing in this matter, which failure resulted in a waste of scarce state resources.

Approved by Order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its regular meeting of January 27, 2016.

__________________________
Cynthia A. Cannata
Acting Clerk of the Commission

PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-180(c), G.S., THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF EACH PARTY AND THE MOST RECENT MAILING ADDRESS, PROVIDED TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION, OF THE PARTIES OR THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.
THE PARTIES TO THIS CONTESTED CASE ARE:
Michael Pacelia
15 Maple Street
Chester, CT  06412
Assistant Legal Director, State of Connecticut, Department of
Children and Families; and State of Connecticut, Department
of Children and Families
c/o Thomas DeMatteo, Esq.
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT  06106
____________________________
Cynthia A. Cannata
Acting Clerk of the Commission
FIC/2015-441/FD/cac/1/27/2016