* * * WARNING – AUDIO CONTAINS PROFANITY * * *
APRIL 23-24, 2012: On the day before a key campaign finance filing deadline, an email goes out to Sarah Waterfall, Chris Donovan, Robert Braddock Jr., Josh Nassi, and Patrick Smock notifying them that one of the donation checks had bounced. The $2,500 check was written by Dana Graziano on behalf of the smoke shop owners.
Nassi immediately calls Soucy to let him know they’ll need a new check by the following day, which was the last day of the campaign finance filing period. Nassi’s call to Soucy sets off a series of angry, profanity-filled phone calls between Soucy and Waterbury smoke shop owner Paul Rogers. The call from Nassi – who later pleaded guilty – to Soucy clearly confirms Nassi’s knowledge of and participation in the scheme, with Soucy saying “Everybody was given the cash . . . to deposit.” The final call in the series takes place at 5:25 p.m. on April 24, and during that conversation Soucy tells Rogers that he is expecting a courier and will be bringing something for Aresimowicz and Cafero.
According to the evidence, Nassi was to have received a replacement check at 10 a.m. today, April 24. At 12:05 p.m., Braddock calls campaign spokesman Gabe Rosenberg and instructs him to pick up a check at Smoke House Tobacco.
TRANSCRIPTS: Exhibit 43a, Exhibit 44a, Exhibit 45a, Exhibit 46a, and Exhibit 50a
Provided as evidence by federal prosecutors in the trial of Robert Braddock Jr.
