Erin Stewart Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign Amid Spending Probe
Former New Britain mayor Erin Stewart suspended her campaign for governor on Thursday, following the release of a city-commissioned report that detailed apparent personal and political purchases made on her city credit card.
Suspension and Investigation
The report was produced by Crumbie Law Group as part of a city-commissioned investigation. Mayor Bobby Sanchez referred the report to the Chief State's Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office, with the state police and FBI now investigating.
Stewart stated she is suspending her campaign to address the allegations.
Key Findings in the Report
More than $207,000 was charged to Stewart's city credit card from 2016 to 2025, with over half of those charges lacking receipts. Approximately $22,600 worth of items were shipped to her home.
The report alleges Stewart:
- Billed the city for personal items, including maternity dresses, party decorations, and gifts
- Billed the city twice for political expenses: a $680.03 Hartford Club bill for a campaign fundraiser in 2017, and $163.03 for a cocktail event
- Billed the city for $266.50 in round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C. in April 2025 — which she told the state Republican Party was to seek President Trump's endorsement
The report concludes that most expenditures were unrelated to municipal business and may have benefited Stewart and her family.
According to the report, Stewart reimbursed the city only $456.07 for personal charges. She also declined to be interviewed by investigators.