Former Southington DTC Treasurer Charged With Larceny

By Justin Muszynski, The Bristol Press

April 1, 2022

Former Southington Democratic Town Committee Treasurer James Sinclair was arrested Thursday after about $400 in donations to the DTC were not deposited to the group.

Police said Sinclair, 42, turned himself in on one count of sixth-degree larceny – a misdemeanor. He is free on a promise to appear and is scheduled to make a court appearance in New Britain on April 14.

According to Southington police, Sinclair was treasurer of the Southington DTC between March 2017 and December 2021, when he was relieved of his duties after several committee members inquired as to why some money to the group had not been deposited and some bills had not been paid.

DTC members went to Southington police in January and told investigators they believed Sinclair had stolen money from the committee. Police on Thursday said their investigation determined the then-treasurer failed to deposit $420 in cash donations made to the DTC in 2021.

According to police, their investigation also showed that Sinclair possibly made numerous violations concerning the State Elections Enforcement Commission. A separate investigation has been launched by the SEEC, Southington police said.

According to court papers, DTC members produced multiple SEEC forms signed by Sinclair during his time as treasurer, as he was required to fill out detailed quarterly financial reports that were sent to the election commission. Each donation made to the DTC is supposed to be documented on a form that goes to the SEEC. The forms indicate that anyone who knowingly violates any provisions may be subject to prison, a civil penalty or both.

Southington police said a comparison of SEEC forms and bank records showed multiple discrepancies, which included underreporting of donations made.

During his time as treasurer, Sinclair, police said, showed multiple examples of “poor management” involving money, including writing checks that could not be covered by the funds in the DTC bank account. Because of this, police wrote, the Southington DTC incurred $315 in bank fees.

According to police, Sinclair was also arrested on Feb. 17 following an argument with his girlfriend. He faces one count of second-degree breach of peace in that case.

Court records show that the argument Sinclair had with his girlfriend involved the investigation into his time as treasurer of the Southington DTC. Court documents also indicated recordings reportedly made during the dispute indicated Sinclair’s girlfriend references checks “here that I see all the time,” which she later said were “just sitting around.” The recordings also show the woman saying “sometimes I think that he might be lying,” according to court papers.

In that case, Sinclair is free without having to post bond. He has not entered a plea and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on April 14.

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.