Konstantinos Diamantis flees to Greece to avoid corruption sentencing

Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, a former high-ranking budget official for Connecticut, has fled to Greece to avoid sentencing for corruption. Diamantis, 70, was scheduled to face a federal judge in Bridgeport for crimes that could result in more than 10 years in prison.

Prosecutors state that Diamantis traveled by boat from Florida to the Bahamas, then flew to London before arriving in Greece. Although he had surrendered his U.S. passport, he utilized a Greek passport to facilitate his travel. His attorney, Norman Pattis, confirmed that Diamantis intends to skip the sentencing proceedings.

Diamantis was convicted last year of 21 counts of extortion and bribery. Between 2018 and 2021, he allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in bribes from private contractors to help them secure multimillion-dollar school construction contracts. In a 10-page email to his lawyer, Diamantis denied wrongdoing and accused Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont of “weaponizing” the justice system against him.

U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill has rescheduled the sentencing for September 30, noting the proceedings will continue regardless of Diamantis' presence. The prospects of his return to the U.S. remain uncertain, as Greek courts have historically upheld protections against the extradition of Greek nationals.