the Office of State Ethics refuting all conflict of interest allegations. Both Gaffey and Rennie had stories in the December 9, 2007, Courant. Gaffey said there had been nothing improper in his relationship with the university lobbyist, citing his record of support for state colleges. Rennie's article alleged self-dealing by Gaffey, including getting Final Four basketball tickets from the university at a low price and using his political action committee to pay personal expenses. On December 11, Democratic senators proposed ethics reforms for the legislature. They denied it was done in response to the Gaffey scandal. On December 14, Gaffey asked Williams to be reassigned off the committee responsible for oversight of CSU. One Democratic senator, Edith Prague, defended Gaffey, asserting "He didn't steal anything". Republican Tim Lenox is challenging Gaffey in the November 2008 election but was defeated by Gaffey. Following the election, Gaffey's ally, Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr., removed Senator Joan Hartley from chairmanship of the Higher Education Committee, a move viewed as retaliation for opposing Gaffey's bonding proposals. Conviction and resignation In June 2009 the State Election Enforcement Commission fined Gaffey for a double billing scandal involving his political action committee, the GAFPAC. Gaffey ran for re-election in 2010 and despite the scandal, defeated Republican Len Suzio. After the election the State's Attorney's office continued its investigation into whether Gaffey violated criminal statutes. On January 3, 2011 Gaffey was arrested for larceny. He resolved the criminal charges by agreeing to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, resign his state senate seat effective January 5, 2011, and serve 100 hours of community service. On January 5, 2011 Gaffey submitted his resignation to Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and submitted his plea to Superior Court Judge Julia Dewey, who accepted the plea agreement. References External links Official website 1958 births Living people Democratic Party Connecticut state senators Connecticut politicians convicted of crimes Politicians from Meriden, Connecticut