Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General Sues Contractors For Shoddy Niantic Prison Expansion, Seeks More Than $18 Million For Repairs

February 27, 2008

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced today that his office has sued 13 contractors for botching a major expansion of the York Correctional Institution in Niantic, seeking more than $18 million to fix pervasive water leaks and cracked walls.

Blumenthal's suit alleges that the companies, including Bacon Construction Co., Inc., Tishman Construction Corporation of New England, HDR Architecture P.C. and Maguire Group, Inc., knew or should have known the work was defective.

The companies designed, managed, built, tested or insured construction of 22 buildings between 1991 and 1997 costing more than $50 million. Shortly after completion, leaks and/or outer wall cracks appeared in at least 19 of the buildings. At some structures, water damage to interiors is significant and stone has fallen from exterior walls.

The state estimates repairs will cost at least $18 million. Blumenthal filed the lawsuit on behalf of Department of Correction Commissioner Theresa C. Lantz and Department of Public Works Commissioner Raeanne V. Curtis.

"This work was seriously substandard -- ceilings and walls leaking water and cracked facades losing stone," Blumenthal said. "Slipshod design and construction doomed these buildings to deteriorate. These contractors shortchanged taxpayers and squandered scarce criminal justice resources. I will fight vigorously to hold these companies accountable, forcing them to pay for repairs and related costs, probably in the range of more than $18 million. Prisons, like all state structures, should be built to last and stand the test of time."

The lawsuit charges the defendants with improper design, management and construction of exterior walls, including flashing and "weeps," which direct water away from the foundation, and other vital structural components. Ascertaining the cause and extent of the problems required forensic engineering studies and review of sections of the buildings.

Fixing the buildings will require reinstallation of the entire moisture protection system, including windows, flashing and waterproofing. Stone façades must be dismantled and replaced. In addition, the state must replace water-damaged interiors, including wallboard, carpeting and other flooring, sills, furnishings and equipment.

State officials expect to seek bids for the repair work later this year. The repairs will take about two years.

The other defendants in the lawsuit are: Stratton Co., Inc., J.S. Nasin Co, Independent Material Testing Laboratories, Inc., Testing Labs, Inc. DBA Testwell Craig Laboratories of CT, Inc., Naek Construction Co, Inc., B.W. Dexter II, Inc., Travelers Insurance, American Insurance Co. and Employers Insurance of Wausau.

The new buildings included four housing units accommodating about 100 inmates each. The prison has 10 housing units housing 1,349 inmates. Other affected buildings include dining, administration, kitchen, laundry, vehicle maintenance, warehouse, visiting, recreational and other facilities.

York is the state's only women's prison.

In addition to the cost of repairs, Blumenthal is seeking civil penalties and litigation costs.