More I-84 problems in Cheshire

The NHR continues to do some great reporting on the I-84 scandal (by Greg Hladky). This time around, the story relates to a DOT employee who lives in Cheshire. And it's the first action taken against any DOT official:

DOT spokesman Judd Everhart confirmed L. Brian Castler of Cheshire "has been reassigned" to work at the agency’s Rocky Hill laboratory. Everhart declined to comment on the reasons for Castler’s loss of his administrative position. Informed sources within Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s administration say Castler’s demotion was related, at least in part, to questions about his involvement in the I-84 project.

The article's other paragraph of particular interest to me was

Spokesmen for Defelice and Maguire Group have denied any wrongdoing in connection with the I-84 project. Garcia said the DOT appears to be overstating drainage and other project problems. He insisted any problems would have been corrected if Defelice hadn’t gone out of business. Garcia called it "very peculiar" the independent auditors hadn’t interviewed any Defelice or Maguire Group officials.

Very peculiar? Well, let's not forget that the project's lead inspector doesn't seem to know how this mess could've even occurred. William Fritz, son of Cheshire's state Rep. Mary Fritz, has been described in the press as saying that he didn't know how the problems arose.

Tim White