Representatives of three companies with connections to the affordable housing industry gave to the Connecticut Democratic Party in November.
Bruce Whitaker Jr., owner of Millennium Real Estate, gave $5,000 on Nov. 19.
Two days later, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Sasco Creek Apartments, owned by the Westport Housing Authority and managed by Millenium, would receive a 4 percent loan from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and $5.7 million in “gap funding” from the new Department of Housing.
Employees of Viking Construction gave $3,500 in November. Anthony Gaglio Jr., the company president, donated $10,000 in July and has made large donations to the Democratic Party in the past. In September 2012, he posed for a picture with Malloy in front of a sign highlighting the “cooperation” of the state in the construction of The Heights at Darien, a Viking project.
Matthew Anderson of Imagineers donated $2,500. The company administers Section 8 housing vouchers for some housing authorities.
These donors gave to the state party’s federal account, which can accept contributions from any U.S. citizen including state contractors.
Other recent donors to the Democratic Party’s federal account include:
– Nicholas Donofrio, recently appointed to chair the Board of Regents for Higher Education, and his wife gave $20,000.
– Employees of a Department of Transportation preferred developer set to receive $35 million in state money for parking garages gave $27,500 in November and $30,000 over the summer, just after DOT informed the company of its selection.
– Employees of a regular DOT contractor, HAKS Engineers, gave $45,000 in October and may have attended a fundraiser headlined by Malloy.
– Executives at Northeast Utilities gave $17,000 in October after the company’s CEO asked his subordinates to support Malloy.