DAN LYNCH TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE "COURT REPORTERS DOUBLE DIPPING!"

Dan Lynch's Testimony in Opposition to Raised S.B. No. 844

AN ACT CONCERNING LEGAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS AND THE FEES CHARGED BY COURT REPORTERS.

This proposed Bill, as currently drafted, purports to amend Chapter 874 of the General Statutes, the Chapter titled “Court Reporters,” and which also by reference is impacted by C.G.S. § 51-12 (Chapter 870, Judicial Department).

• This proposed Bill conflicts with numerous statutes which prevent state employees from conducting private business while on state paid time, using state owned equipment and supplies and from within state facilities
  
  
• For more than a decade, Connecticut taxpayers have been defrauded by the illegal practices being condoned by and within the Connecticut Judicial Branch whereby certain of its employees are being allowed to “double dip,” collecting hourly pay (including benefits and pension) while simultaneously charging additional fees for transcription services rendered for private and public parties during that same time
  
  
• Comprehensive review of the entire Chapter 874 is needed to ensure it comports with legal and ethical requirements, as well as current capabilities of technology
  
  
• For more than a decade, some have sought to profit from loopholes in existing statutes which have not kept pace with the significant advancements in technology, as well as the changes regarding hiring of court personnel vs. per diem contractors
  
  

The Judicial Branch has known, but remained largely silent as to the highly questionable ethical and legal practices concerning state employees:

o conducting private enterprise while on state paid time

o conducting private enterprise from within state facilities (courthouses) 

o conducting private enterprise using state owned equipment and office supplies

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION:

1. Which members of the Judiciary Committee have raised S.B. No.844?
   
2. What is the specific rationale being used to allow and codify into our statutes an abusive and illegal practice which should be terminated?
   
3. What is the justification for allowing state employees to profit incrementally from the very work product that is already created and owned by the public?
   

Committee on Court Recording Monitors and Court Reporters (November 4, 2010)
•https://www.jud.ct.gov/Committees/pst/court_rep/Final_Report.pdf

Whistleblower Complaint (May 21, 2015)
• https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8b75uSVYHH-OGdyd05Dc2ExWWs

Yankee Institute for Public Policy (Marc E. Fitch, March 7, 2018)
• https://www.yankeeinstitute.org/2018/03/audit-finds-court-reporters-make-extra-1-million-in-side-work-boosting-salaries-and-pensions/

CT-N Coverage of Joint Legislative Committee (State Auditor’s Reports, July 9, 2018)

• http://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=15436&jump=0:00:07
  
• Gary P. Krischenski (Principal Auditor), John Rasmus Deputy State Auditor
  
• Elizabeth Graham, Judicial Branch Executive Director for Administrative Services •