Connecticut Regents Face Scrutiny Over Private Emails
State officials are under fire for using personal email accounts to conduct official business for public colleges.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Administration
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Seven members of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities board of regents utilized private email accounts to handle state communications. This practice complicates compliance with public records requests as the board lacks access to personal corporate servers.
Why it matters
Using private accounts for public business threatens transparency by making it difficult for the state to retrieve and disclose official records as required by policy. The issue has also raised broader governance concerns following the resignation of former board chair Marty Guay.
A state audit revealed seven board members used non-state email addresses compared to just two using official ones. Additionally, records show Terrence Cheng charged the state $1,263.00 for car services to New York across three separate instances.
The players
Marty Guay
He is the former board chair of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system who resigned following questions about his handling of a sexual harassment complaint.
Terrence Cheng
He is a high-ranking official within the Connecticut state college system whose travel expenses have been flagged in a recent state audit.
Ari Santiago
He currently serves as the interim board chair for the state regents board.
The details
Public officials in Connecticut are required to avoid using private channels for government work because they must search their own personal files to satisfy public records requests. This administrative challenge follows the departure of Marty Guay, who resigned from his leadership role amid questions regarding a sexual harassment complaint.
Timeline
In October 2024, Marty Guay sent an email to board members from a corporate account.
In April 2026, an I-Team investigation requested emails concerning the resignation of John Maduko.
During the fall of 2026, board members are undergoing updated training on Freedom of Information Act obligations.
Culture Shift
The controversy marks a direct departure from the transparency standards mandated by the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. It highlights a growing tension between the convenience of digital communication and the institutional requirement for public accountability in state governance.
Residents may see increased administrative costs or delays as the board works to modernize its communication practices to meet public records standards. The ongoing training for regents aims to ensure that future board decisions are documented through official, searchable channels.
The takeaway
Maintaining clear boundaries between personal and professional communication is essential for the integrity of public institutions. Transparency serves as a critical safeguard to ensure that oversight remains effective and accessible to all citizens.
Further reading
For more information on state governance policies, visit Connecticut Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WFSB.
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