Bloomfield is calling for an investigation into whether two-term Town Councilman Shamar Mahon, who is running again for re-election, has been living in Hartford for at least three years in violation of political residency laws.
Town manager Alvin D. Schwapp Jr. has written letters to both the state Elections Enforcement Commission and the Chief State’s Attorney’s office asking them to look into the residency questions.
“Given the duty of transparency owed to the public and the importance of maintaining accountability in municipal governance, the Town considers this apparent ongoing criminal conduct blatant and therefore respectfully requests that your respective offices investigate and prosecute this,” Schlapp wrote.
Mahon called the residency complaint a misinformed attempt by Schwapp, who he has challenged in the past, to torpedo his current campaign weeks before the election. Mahon said he lives in Bloomfield.
“It looks like another instance of election interference by the town manager,” Mahon said. “It’s a distraction and that’s how I’m treating it.”
The allegation against Mahon was based on a complaint from an unidentified resident.
“The allegation is that Councilman Mahon may have lived in Bloomfield when he was first elected to the Bloomfield Town Council, but sometime around 2022, his bona fide residence changed to Hartford, and not only did he not step down from his Council position, he ran for re-election in the general election in 2023, and he currently is running for re-election to Bloomfield Town Council,” the letters said.
During his first election in 2021, Mahon listed his residence as an address on Hilltop Circle in Bloomfield.
But that changed in 2022 when Mahon bought a building on South Street in Hartford that consists of a package store and three apartments, according to the letters.
“The Town’s inquiry revealed evidence that Councilor Mahon’s bona fide residence at or after the time of the real estate purchase in 2022, has been, and currently is 244 South Street, Hartford, CT. Councilor Mahon failed to disclose to the Town Clerk of Bloomfield that his bona fide residence had changed to a residence outside of Bloomfield and he continues to serve as a Town Councilman,” according to the letters.
Mahon attributed the residency challenge to Schwapp, with whom he said he has disagreed over political and policy questions. Among them, Mahon said he recently challenged a renegotiation of Schwab’s contract, which increased salary and benefits.
