Former Connecticut Housing Director Indicted for Fraud

Robert Cappelletti faces federal charges involving an alleged $16.2 million loan scheme.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Financial Crime

Former Connecticut Housing Director Indicted for Fraud

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A federal grand jury indicted former housing authority director Robert Cappelletti on nine counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Authorities allege Cappelletti used fraudulent board resolutions to secure millions in loans for personal use.

Why it matters

The indictment highlights significant oversight failures regarding the use of public housing authority funds for private financial gain. Prosecutors allege that the defendant exploited his position at two separate Connecticut agencies to misappropriate millions.

Robert Cappelletti was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and four counts of illegal monetary transactions, and he remains free on a $500,000 bond. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.

The players

Robert Cappelletti

He is the former executive director of the Meriden and Groton Housing Authorities who faces federal fraud charges.

The details

Cappelletti, who served as director for both the Meriden and Groton Housing Authorities, allegedly executed promissory notes without authorization to borrow $16.2 million. Prosecutors claim he diverted $450,000 to personal investments and $374,752.87 to his own mortgage payments while using forged invoices to hide the activity.

Cappelletti directed the Meriden Housing Authority from 2009 to May 2025.
He served as the Groton Housing Authority director from 2016 to January 2025.
The fraudulent $16.2 million loan was allegedly obtained in 2022.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment on September 22, 2026.
Cappelletti was arrested and appeared in court on September 24, 2026.

Legal Context

The charges against Cappelletti fall under the broader federal framework for wire fraud and money laundering, which carries mandatory sentencing guidelines for public officials. This case follows a pattern of heightened federal scrutiny regarding the misuse of public agency financial instruments.

Residents of Meriden and Groton may see increased transparency requirements for housing authority boards in the wake of this indictment. Local authorities are investigating the impact these misappropriated funds had on the financial stability of public housing operations.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of stringent board oversight and independent audits within public housing authorities. Officials advise that public entities must implement dual-signature requirements to prevent unauthorized financial transactions.