Town Attorney Releases Report on Bunnell

According to a story published by The Day, attorneys for the town have released a copy of the state police investigation report that concluded that Lt. Leonard Bunnell improperly accessed the state computer database. The report shows, according to The Day, that Bunnell performed background checks on residents including a sex offender, volunteer coaches and a suspicious man. 

but the report furnished to the newspaper -- one requested by Montville Patch several months ago -- shows that in addition to a check for a parks counselor, Bunnell also performed checks on a suspicious man, someone seeking a loan and an individual looking to be a foster parent.

Bunnell was handed a two-week suspension by Montville Mayor Ronald McDaniel this week. McDaniel refused to comment further and Bunnell has not responded to repeated calls for comment. 

Connecticut State Police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said this week that any criminal charges against Bunnell would be decided by the state's attorney.

The charges connected with the state police major crimes probe into the alleged 38 instances he improperly accessed a state law enforcement background check database between October of 2011 and January of 2012. 

Troop E commanding officer Lt. Samuel R. Izzarelli lodged the complaint against Bunnell after getting a report by a system auditor. The Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing (COLLECT) System lets users find information that the state has about people, and find motor vehicle and criminal history data on the national and international level.

The auditor said Montville Police Officer Robin Salvatore informed her of the system “misuse.”  

Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Commanding Officer Lt. John S. Eckersley completed his investigation in June and a report was given to the town. 

In late April, Bunnell was notified that he was under investigation and advised to speak to no one on the matter save for his attorney and union rep. 

Bunnell documented a criminal history request by a town employee even though he was allegedly warned against giving "criminal history information for Town Hall and City Hall requests during his recent re-certification class in August,” according to the statement.