April Capone Almon

April Capone (born c.1975) is an American business woman and politician, the former mayor of East Haven, Connecticut, serving two terms from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first woman elected as mayor and the youngest, winning after three recounts by the narrowest margin recorded. With private sector experience, she had been elected previously to the Town Council.

April Capone was born, raised and educated in East Haven, Connecticut. She attended local schools and received her MBA from Southern Connecticut State University. She married in 1999 to Regan Almon and divorced in 2011.

Capone entered local politics and was elected to the 15-member Town Council of East Haven as its only Democrat. In 2010 Democratic registered voters outnumbered registered Republicans, but another major portion of the electorate is independent.

In 2007, Capone challenged the 10-year Republican incumbent mayor, Joseph A. Maturo, Jr., and ran a campaign based on change. She claimed her private sector experience in budget and fiscal management could help her improve city government. She promoted upgrading the city's use of technology, and developing Candlestick Park for the city.

After three recounts, Capone won by 25 votes, the closest election in the town's history. She was the first woman elected mayor of East Haven, and the youngest at age 32.

In September 2009, Capone and her assistant Erica Berg turned themselves in to police; they were arrested on charges of interfering with police towing cars at Cosey Beach on July 19. The state did not prosecute this case. On September 28, 2009, former Police Commissioner William J. Illingworth filed an ethics complaint against Almon for her having substantially raised the salary of her assistant Berg in 2008, suggesting they may have an improper personal relationship. Supporters of Capone Almon suggested his action was to try to discredit the major prior to the election, scheduled for early November, and questioned why Illingworth had not challenged the raise when it took place in 2008.

"Capone confirmed that Berg got a $9,960 raise, effective July 1, 2008, increasing her salary from just over $40,000 to $50,000. But she said Berg's job was reclassified at the same time, with the added duties of writing grants and scheduling special events -- and since then, Berg's efforts have brought in $742,156 in grant revenue." In 2008, twenty other positions had received raises, which were also criticized in 2009 by Capone Almon's Republican challenger in the November election. Capone Almon was re-elected. Under her administration, the city has increased the amount of money it has gained in grants for improvements.

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