Connecticut: The State of Legislative Criminal Forgiveness

 Connecticut's State Legislature has been a sad mess for years. 

The Connecticut State Legislature has seen multiple legislators, including (but not limited to) Robin Comey, Aundré Baumgartner, Geoff Luxenberg, Kevin Ryan, and Dennis Bradley face criminal charges ranging from driving under the influence (DUI) to campaign finance fraud.

Below is just a partial list of those that have offended the public trust in committing criminal acts.

Robin Comey: Arrested for DUI in March 2023 after a car crash near the Capitol, with blood alcohol levels nearly twice the legal limit, and removed from committee assignments. 

An earlier incident showed Ms. Comey making laws…while drunk.

Aundré Baumgartner: Arrested for DUI in March 2025 with blood alcohol levels over twice the legal limit, suspended from leadership roles, and entered a program for first-time offenders.

Geoff Luxenberg: Arrested for DUI in November 2023, removed from committees, and sought personal counseling.

Kevin Ryan: Had multiple DUI arrests, including a notable third in 2001 leading to 120 days in prison, yet retained office and won subsequent elections.

Dennis Bradley: Indicted in May 2021 on federal charges for defrauding the campaign finance system, with the case ongoing as of June 2024.

Every one of these people has returned to legislative service with the usual cries of “I am sorry” and “Let’s Move On.” However, in this past week we had another young lawmaker continuing in the great tradition giving yet another example of its disregard for laws of the land. The example is this week's debacle of Legislative Miscreantness is Democrat State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan, a four-term lawmaker from Connecticut. 

Raghib was arrested Monday June 22, 2025 for allegedly failing to scan two items at a Target store in Bethel. He was arrested after police reviewed security video showing him attempting to leave the store with $26.69 in unpaid merchandise.

In reading Raghib’s biography one may be impressed in his qualifications as a young Democrat. For example, "Since 2018, Raghib has been at the forefront of shaping energy policy, pushing for renewable investments, stronger oversight of utilities, and greater protections for consumers."  

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder if those greater protections for consumers include being able to freely shoplift goods for stores in Crime Free Democrat Connecticut. 

It adds; "Currently, he serves on the Energy and Technology, General Law, and Insurance and Real Estate Committees. A proud member of the legislature’s Moderate Caucus, Raghib has championed protections for domestic violence survivors, pushed back on overdevelopment, and advocated for Connecticut’s small businesses." 

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder if he advocates to shoplifting at the few remaining Connecticut small businesses? 

Or how he feels about the obscene HB 5002 as far as over-development is concerned? 

In his standard statement of repentance after being caught shoplifting by hand carrying items out of the store, he stated that he remained committed to serving his community with “transparency and integrity". 

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder if such transparency includes availing oneself of five-fingered discounts by using one’s fingers instead of shopping bags. 

Lastly in his bio is the inevitable virtuous statement of sexual preference;” An openly gay legislator, Raghib is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. He continues to reside in Bethel, where he remains deeply connected to the community he serves." 

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder what does this have to do with anything with respect to governance or policy?

The story of his shoplifting is interesting as the New York Post reported more information on his alleged theft. In their article (https://nypost.com/2025/06/25/us-news/democrat-ct-lawmaker-busted-for-shoplifting-at-target-self-checkout-line-then-uses-ailing-granny-as-an-excuse/), we find out that; "A Democratic state representative from Connecticut busted for shoplifting after failing to scan items at a Target self-checkout offered a litany of excuses, including that he was “in a rush to bring items to my grandmother in the hospital.” State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan was arrested Monday night at a Target store in Bethel, about 60 miles southwest of Hartford, after authorities reviewed security footage allegedly showing he neglected to scan two of his items, totaling $26.69 in value. He was detained by loss prevention personnel, who later told cops they recognized the four-term lawmaker from “previous unreported larcenies,”  

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder how many times has the Democrat State Representative stolen from Target and other stores in the area?

Raghib posted the following statement on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/raghibct/) that “During a recent visit to the Bethel Target, two items in my armload of others were not scanned. I was in a rush to bring items to my grandmother in the hospital, the store didn’t have bags, and I was juggling multiple purchases”  It is interesting to note that Democrat State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan voted for House Bill #7424 which outlaws evil plastic bags as noted from the bill; “On and after July 1, 2021, no owner or operator of a store shall provide or sell a single-use checkout bag to a customer.” What an irony for Raghib! No bags to use in the store! Democrat Socialism continually reaches its finest moments in Crime-Free Democrat Connecticut.

Based upon well-established past precedent, we know that the esteemed Democrat State Representative will blame everyone but himself, get a slap on the wrist and be able to keep his position, benefits and pension as a State Representative as long as he wants. His colleagues will view this and say to themselves “if I screw up, the same soft-landing will be waiting for me as I am entitled.”  There is no deterrent for being a criminal if you are a Democrat Connecticut state legislator. If you or I did this we would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Can you imagine if a Republican State Representative did this? Or the Governor? (No, scratch that. Why would one bother with guppies when one can bag whales?)   

But this is Crime Free Democrat Connecticut. But a better term would be “The Legislative Criminal Forgiveness State.” But alas, that type of forgiveness applies only to a very small subset of the population.