Danbury/Bethel Lawmaker Accused Of Theft Enters Accelerated Rehabilitation Program

BETHEL, CT — State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-Bethel), who has been accused of shoplifting from a local Target store, was allowed into the accelerated rehabilitation program this week.

Under this program, if he successfully completes a year of probation, charges against him will be dismissed.

Danbury Superior Court Judge Charles M. Stango approved Allie-Brennan’s application for the program during a court proceeding Monday.

Allie-Brennan is due back in court in a year, on Aug. 18, 2026, court records show.

Allie-Brennan wrote on his Facebook page he is “deeply grateful” the judge allowed him into the program.

“This program provides first-time offenders an opportunity to make amends, and once completed, my charges will be dismissed,” he wrote, in the post.

Allie-Brennan said he will also pay full restitution of $54 to Target.

As an “additional step of accountability,” he said he will be taking a three-week leave of absence from his legislative committee duties.

His official bio indicates he is on the Energy and Technology Committee, General Law Committee, and the Insurance and Real Estate Committee.

“The past few months have been difficult and I know I’ve let people down,” Allie-Brennan wrote, in his Facebook post on Monday. “I carry that heavily, but I’ve also been reminded of the importance of humility, accountability, and service. My focus now is on earning back trust and continuing the work I love, serving the people of Bethel and Danbury.”

Allie-Brennan, who is Chief Majority Whip in the legislature, was arrested in June and charged with one count of sixth-degree larceny, court records show.

Allie-Brennan attributed the incident to a self-checkout “error” as he was rushing to visit his hospitalized grandmother.

Allie-Brennan on June 24 posted the following on his Facebook page:

“During a recent visit to the Bethel Target, two items in my armload of others were not scanned. I was in a rush to bring items to my grandmother in the hospital, the store didn’t have bags, and I was juggling multiple purchases. While I do not have a record, I take full responsibility for the error and am working through the legal processes to resolve the matter quickly and respectfully.

I respect the law and Target’s right to enforce their loss prevention policy, and I remain committed to serving my community with transparency and integrity.”

Allie-Brennan, a Bethel resident, has two separate cases pending in court, records show. He was subsequently arrested again and accused of shoplifting from the same store on a different occasion. Charges for both incidents will be dismissed if Allie-Brennan successfully completes the accelerated rehabilitation program.

He is currently in his fourth term representing the 2nd Assembly district, which includes Bethel and part of Danbury, according to his online biography.

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CT Lawmaker Accused Of Theft Applies For Accelerated Rehabilitation Program
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