Joseph A. Maturo

Joseph A. Maturo, Jr. (born circa 1951) is a politician. He is the long-term mayor of East Haven, Connecticut. He is a Republican and with his re-election in 2005, he became the second person in East Haven history to be elected for five terms as mayor, serving 1997-2007. After two terms away, in 2011 he won re-election again, establishing a record six terms, and in 2013 was again re-elected.

As mayor, Maturo appointed Leonard Gallo as Police Chief in 1998. In 2009 the United States Department of Justice started a civil and later criminal investigation of the police department because of complaints of harassment of Latino residents in East Haven. Mayor April Capone Almon put Gallo on administrative leave in 2010 after receiving the preliminary report by DOJ. After winning election in 2011, Maturo reinstated Gallo. The Police Chief's first action was to bar police commission members from the police headquarters and parking lot. They established a policy requiring him to give them entry. DOJ submitted its final report to the city in December 2011, documenting an abusive pattern of discrimination and harassment within the department. In January 2012 the FBI arrested four East Haven policemen on a 10-count indictment for conspiracy against civil rights and harassment of Latinos. Maturo was criticized for insensitive remarks and resisted calls for his resignation.Gallo was allowed to retire as police chief in January 2012.

In October 2012 the city under Mayor Maturo reached a settlement with DOJ on the civil charges. Two of the police officers pleaded guilty to criminal charges in 2012 in return for reduced sentences; two went to trial and were convicted in October 2013. In 2013 Maturo was re-elected as mayor. In January 2014 officer Cari was sentenced to two and a half years and officer Spaulding to five years in prison.

A lifelong resident of East Haven, Maturo is a veteran of the United States Navy and master electrician, state certified as an electrical inspector. He served in the US Navy for six years during and after the Vietnam War. After his return to East Haven, he joined the Fire Department, serving for 17 years, before a back injury forced retirement in 1991.

Maturo is a graduate of East Haven High School, class of 1970. He had been a member of the East Haven Volunteer Fire Company since 1969. Maturo attended South Central Community College (now called Gateway Community College) and the University of New Haven. Maturo is a master electrician and is state certified as an electrical inspector.

...
Wikipedia