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Federal probe casts light on CT budget earmarks for youth programs

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The Connecticut State Capitol, in Hartford, Conn. Jan 24, 2023.

The Connecticut State Capitol, in Hartford, Conn. Jan 24, 2023.

Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD — A federal grand jury probe is spotlighting vague budget earmarks that have directed nearly $50 million in the last 12 years to support nonprofit youth programs intended to reduce violence and involvement in the juvenile justice system that members of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus select.

Without much public scrutiny, a series of Democrat-controlled legislatures and two Democratic governors have been processing these handpicked selections for Youth Services Prevention grants from Black and Latino legislators.

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The $48 million distributed through these budget earmarks since the 2014 fiscal year represents a fraction of the nearly $260 billion in overall state spending in that time. The grant amounts, ranging from four to six figures, go to youth sports leagues, religious institutions, theater groups, community and recreation centers, and civic organizations, among others. 

But this small amount of earmark spending is under examination because of how the funding pool is reserved for members of the caucus, the opaque process for making the appropriations, and the lack of general oversight.

Legislators in the recently established Asian American and Pacific Islander Issues Caucus are also now able to submit earmarks for Youth Services Prevention grants.

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Members of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus are each granted $150,000 for budget earmarks to nonprofit and community groups within their districts. The practice traces back to the deadly mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in December 2012 and the juvenile justice reform movement of the early 2000s.

There are no funding bills with the names of legislators sponsoring the Youth Services Prevention grants, no hearings and no application process. The governor and the Appropriations Committee recommend only the grant program’s bottom line in spending plans. The specific earmarks are spelled out later in the final budget bill, but only the names of the recipients and grant amounts are listed, with no details about a nonprofit program’s purpose or how the funds will be spent.

Once a state budget is enacted, the administration and oversight of this state funding is left to the state’s Judicial Branch through its Court Support Services Division. 

But a federal grand jury investigation examining the role of state Sen. Douglas McCrory, D-Bloomfield, a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, in the distribution of millions of government funds sent to Hartford-based nonprofits and companies has turned a spotlight on these budget earmarks. McCrory has denied any wrongdoing.

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Reform debate

House and Senate Republicans have seized on the grand jury probe to demand the Democratic majority make budgeting changes to increase transparency and oversight.

The proposed GOP reforms include identifying legislators making a funding request, giving a clear description of its public purpose, holding a hearing on each grant application, completing audits to verify funds are used as intended and adding more detailed reporting requirements. 

Gov. Ned Lamont has signaled he is open to earmark reform. His administration has also made use of budget earmarks over its two terms.

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“I don’t think we track them enough,” Lamont said. “A lot of this comes late in the day from the legislature. We’re not going to let this continue.”

Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said Democratic leaders are also willing to discuss a process for providing more review of all budget earmarks, not just the ones for Youth Services Prevention and Youth Violence Initiative grants.

“From my point of view, I think the most important part of that would be making sure grantees are not in a position to donate money or give out money to subgrantees who have not been properly vetted,” he said.

One focus of the grand jury probe is the awarding of subgrants. Records show nonprofits and companies run by Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin, a businesswoman and nonprofit leader who has relationship with McCrory, regularly secured funding for associated nonprofits and companies through subgrants. That includes through the reportedly defunct Blue Hills Civic Association that offered youth employment and other programs.

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The Blue Hills Civic Association received $106,880 in Youth Service Prevention grants since 2015. It is unclear whether the grand jury investigation involves any of this funding. Federal investigators have subpoenaed records related to economic development and education grants.

Grant spending

Overall, $48 million in Youth Services Prevention grants have been distributed as designated by members of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus since the 2014 fiscal year, according to the state comptroller’s office. 

The two-year $55.8 billion state budget that took effect July 1 appropriates another $7.3 million per year for Youth Services Prevention grants. The two-year budget for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years allocated $3.3 million per year.

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In addition, members of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus have separately directed another $29.6 million in Youth Violence Intervention grants to cities and nonprofit organizations through budget earmarks since the 2013 fiscal year, according to the comptroller’s office.

The current two-year budget sets aside nearly $5.5 million a year for these grants aimed at decreasing urban youth violence. Five years ago, the 2021 and 2022 budget allocated $2 million a year.

The Youth Violence Intervention grants are appropriated and distributed in the same way as Youth Services Prevention grants.

The Youth Violence Intervention grants were limited to Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven in 2013. Five years later, Danbury, Meriden, Waterbury and West Haven were added, and eligibility was subsequently expanded again. The legislature approved grants for more than 80 communities and organizations for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. The Court Support Services Division also administers this grant program.

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The 2026 and 2027 budget for the first time includes some earmarks for Youth Services Prevention and Youth Violence Initiative grants from members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Issues Caucus that was established in 2024. 

Spending scrutiny

The funding requests for Youth Services Prevention and Youth Violence Initiative grants receive greater scrutiny compared to other earmarks, said Sen. Catherine Osten, D-Sprague, and Rep. Toni E. Walker, D-New Haven, co-chairwomen of the Appropriations Committee. 

They questioned why the earmarks from the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Issues Caucus should be subject to more stringent review and oversight than other budget earmarks that are regularly inserted into spending, revenue and other bills from both Democrats and Republicans.

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“I have no problem with having deliverables on any earmarks that we have. There were a lot of earmarks that we had in the budget that were small, but we also have earmarks that were large,” Osten said.

Walker, a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, questioned why Republicans singled out the Youth Services Prevention and Youth Violence Initiative grants. She said other significantly larger state grant and contract awards do not receive a level of scrutiny approaching what the House and Senate GOP proposed for the two youth-related grant programs.

“That’s what bothers me is that they took this one group. Why? That’s what I want to know,” Walker said. “Why are you scrutinizing this small amount of money compared to what we’re doing every year.”

Sen. Robert C. Sampson, R-Wolcott, said Republicans are focused on these two grant programs because they are appropriated largely behind the scenes. But they are not the only earmarks that Republicans are scrutinizing. 

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“It is the process,” said Sampson, the ranking Senate Republican on the Government Administration and Elections and Government Oversight committees. “It is that these grants are awarded without any open process at all and that the ultimate contract is drafted in secret after the money is already awarded.”

Once House or Senate Democratic leadership accepts a Youth Services Prevention or Youth Violence Initiative earmark, the funding is essentially secured, he said.

“That is it. Then, the Judicial Branch is left to figure out who the grant actually goes to and puts something on paper,” Sampson said. “It is just amazing to me.”

Once Youth Services Program and Youth Violence Initiative grants are authorized, judicial officials gather contact information and verify the accuracy of the names, confirm they are registered with the secretary of the state’s office, and corroborate the amount, said Rhonda Hebert, a spokeswoman for the Judicial Department.

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Once a grant agreement is executed, the funds are issued on a quarterly basis, depending on how quickly a recipient provides documentation, she said.

Recipients are required to provide a description of services, a budget narrative, fiscal expenditure reports twice a year, and an annual program report, Hebert said.

Budget narratives that align with the description of services are accepted, she said. The fiscal expenditure reports are also reviewed for alignment with the description of services and the budget narrative, she said

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Audits are not required, and the judicial branch does not submit any reports to the Appropriations Committee, Hebert said. 



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Shorthanded Orange drops Holiday Classic opening game to Incline, Nev. –

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December 27, 2025

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Orange’s leading scorer Friday night Ivan Kim in the tournament opener. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Orange’s boys basketball team got off to a slow start and couldn’t recover, falling to Incline High of Nevada 52-32 in an opening round game of the 60th annual Orange Holiday Basketball Classic Friday at Orange.

Incline forward Halen Hanson led all scorers with 17 points to help the team snap a five-game losing streak and improved its record to 4-6 while Orange (5-9) lost its third consecutive game.

To see additional photos, click on the first photo:

“We lack basketball awareness and making adjustments,” said Panthers Coach Jake Rhodes, who was missing four players due to sickness and unavailability. “We’re not shooting well. I think we’re shooting something like 18 percent from the 3-point line. We can’t continue to try and shoot over taller opponents in the paint. We must push through this and be focused on the fact that the team comes first.”

The Panthers fell behind 14-7 in the opening quarter but held Incline scoreless over the final 3:40 of the quarter and added baskets by Sebastian Nunez and Fernando Reyes to cut the lead to 14-11 after eight minutes of play.

Both teams didn’t shoot well in the second quarter. The Panthers were held to two baskets by Anthony Randle and Ivan Kim in the quarter but still only trailed 23-15 at halftime.

Orange’s shooting woes continued in the third quarter as the Panthers didn’t sink a bucket until Alex Villa nailed a 3-pointer with 1:12 left in the quarter, but Orange trailed 36-21 after three quarters and the Highlanders cruised to a victory.  

“Shooting has been our big problem,” said Panthers assistant coach Rob Nasman. “Our defense is improving but as a team we’re still having too many lapses and we’re giving up too many second chance points.”

Orange forced 13 turnovers in the game but was never able to draw any closer than 10 points of the lead in the second half. 

“We didn’t have the energy today; we need to come out with more energy,” said Ivan Kim , who led Orange with 13 points. “We know we’re better than this and we know what we are capable of, but we have to prove it.”   

The Highlanders were consistently able to drive into the lane for layups and limited Orange to one shot on the offensive end. Incline also outrebounded the Panthers and moved the ball efficiently.   

“Tonight was the best job we did all season getting Lucas MacDonald the ball in the key,” said Incline’s coach Tim Kelly. “We need to get him the ball more in the paint for him to be effective. We are still trying to find our identity as a team.”

“We did good getting back on defense, moving the ball, rebounding and getting key baskets,” said Hanson, who scored 10 points for the Highlanders.  

In other tournament games, Fullerton defeated Boulder City, Nev. 54-42 and Shadow Ridge topped Irvine 50-49.

Notes:

—Orange will play Shadow Ridge of Nevada on Saturday at 6 p.m. while Incline faces Irvine at 7:30. 

–—The Orange Holiday Basketball Classic is the longest running Christmas basketball Tournament in Orange County. The event started Friday, including boys’ and girls’ divisions with the girls championship game scheduled Tuesday at 6 p.m. The boys’ final will follow at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

—In the boys division, Pool A consists of Incline, Nevada; Irvine, Orange and Shadow Ridge of Nevada, Nev. Pool B will include Boulder City, Nevada, Cerritos, Fullerton, and Long Beach Wilson.

—In the girls division, Pool A includes Apple Valley, Laguna Hills, Montclair, and Valley Christian. Pool B includes Cabrillo, Fullerton, Irvine, Orange.

—Incline’s coach Tim Kelly is the son-in-law of former Servite football coach Larry Toner. Kelly said his son, John Paul Kelly, is currently an eighth grader and is a skillful basketball player who plans to relocate to Southern California next season and attend Servite or Mater Dei and play basketball.

—Incline High School is in Nevada on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.  



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After Lennart Karl success, Bayern Munich CEO intends to lean heavily on youth talent

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December 27, 2025

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Bayern Munich have, supposedly, always put an emphasis on academy talents and transitioning that talent to make an impact in the first team. However, for years it felt as if Bayern’s pool of youth talent had run dry. Blame the front office, blame the coaches or blame the general lack of talent. It doesn’t matter. Lennart Karl’s tremendous success story this season is single-handedly forging Bayern’s youth strategy for the future.

In an interview with Maximilian Koch of Abendzeitung, Bayern CEO, Christian Dreesen, stressed the importance of Karl’s emergence, the Bavarian side’s youth academy and how the club will continue to lean on academy players in the future.

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“Lennart Karl is doing incredibly well,” exclaimed Dreesen (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “Compared to other 17-year-olds, he’s simply much, much more mature. Christoph Freund, Max Eberl, and Vincent Kompany recognized his immense talent, which is why he got his chance. And he seized it. Of course, we couldn’t have expected him to establish himself so quickly. This has to be our path for the future. Lennart is an example for other talents at the academy that they can make it to the top. Just like Josip Stanišić, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Jamal Musiala before him. We’re investing a lot of money in the academy, and it has to pay off. A high percentage of players trained here are making it to the professional level – significantly more than at any other German club. To remain competitive in the medium and long term, we need to rely on a mix of homegrown players and international superstars like Harry Kane or Luis Díaz. Financially, the Premier League is too far ahead – especially when it comes to TV revenue. English clubs earn 80% more from domestic TV rights than their German counterparts, and the differences are even bigger internationally.”

The 58-year-old CEO went on to explain Bayern’s need to find creative ways to bridge the financial gap that exists between the Bundesliga and Premier, perhaps hinting that the youth academy could be a good example.

“We need to find other sources of revenue or further improve existing ones,” explained Dreesen. “Take sponsorship, for example; we’re doing very well there, among the top three European clubs. And we need to increase that even more. We’ll only be able to compete internationally in the future if we grow dynamically in sponsorship and merchandising. And then I’m not worried about the future. We have to work harder for it; for us, money doesn’t just seem to grow on trees like it does for others. We have to work for every euro and, above all, be careful about how we spend. It’s about our ambition to play top-level European football while simultaneously being financially stable. We have to try to maintain this balance. And that’s harder than it perhaps used to be.”

The recent emergence of Aleksandar Pavlović and Lennart Karl have certainly given Bayern impetus to trust and utilize the youth academy, something fans have been crying out for season upon season. Youth players also incur no transfer fee which comes as a massive positive on Bayern’s balance sheet. Considering Kompany’s knack for integrating young players into his squad as well as ‘Die Rekordmeister’s’ financial savvy, one can expect the academy to play an increasingly important role.



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Holland named ASWA Finalists for 4A Lineman of the Year | Sports

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December 27, 2025

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The Alabama Sports Writers Association has released the three finalists for Back and Lineman of the year in each classification. 

Plainview junior Cole Holland has been name one of the three finalist for 4A Lineman of the Year along with Sharontae Bailey, Anniston and Laquon Whisenhunt, Jackson.

Holland anchored the Bears offensive line this season as Plainview captured the 4A Region 8 Championship going 13-1 advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 1999. Holland blocked for an offensive that scored 586 points this season averaging 41.9 PPG. This year’s Bears offense scored the most points in school history, passing the 1991 team that scored 553 points.  

ASWA FINALISTS

Winners of the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s major high school football awards, Mr. Football and the 12-member Super All-State team are scheduled to be announced Jan. 20 at a lunch banquet at the Montgomery Renaissance. 

7A BACK

Zion Crumpton, Carver-Montgomery

Trent Seaborn, Thompson

Jayshaun Woodhouse, Central-Phenix City

7A LINEMAN

Malique Franklin, Daphne

Tristan Lyles, Central-Phenix City

Cam Pritchett, Thompson

6A BACK

Brock Bradley, Spain Park

Aaron Frye, Clay-Chalkville

Jamison Roberts, Saraland

6A LINEMAN

Ka’Mhariyan Johnson, Muscle Shoals

Anthony Jones Jr., St. Paul’s

Braylon Outlaw, Pike Road

5A BACK

Sammy Dunn, Vigor

Jake Harper, Fairview

Spencer Unruh, Corner

5A LINEMAN

Jabarrius Garror, Vigor

Ellis McGaskin, Williamson

Ba’Roc Willis, Moody

4A BACK

EJ Crowell, Jackson

Landon Duckworth, Jackson

Gunner Rivers, St. Michael

4A LINEMAN

Sharontae Bailey, Anniston

Cole Holland, Plainview

Laquon Whisenhunt, Jackson

3A BACK

Jaxon Penn, Mars Hill Bible

Cedrick Simmons, Southside-Selma

Wendell Winston, Randolph County 

3A LINEMAN

Monroe Partin, Bayside Academy

Samuel Swinney, Mars Hill Bible

Shadarius Toodle, Cottage Hill

2A BACK

Kylen Johnson, Coosa Christian

Cutter Mays, Pisgah

Kane Smith, Luverne

2A LINEMAN

Zayden Franklin, Coosa Christian

Jaylen Hill, Lanett

Owen Wadsworth, Southeastern-Blount

1A BACK

Nehemiah McCary, Maplesville

Blaize Wakefield, Hubbertville

Jaquez Wilkes, Wadley

1A LINEMAN

Marctavious Crittenden, Georgiana

Eli Hubbert, Maplesville

Tim Parnell, Leroy

AISA BACK

Ahmod Billins, Abbeville Christian

Kade Carroll, South Choctaw Academy

Peyton Yerta, Chambers Academy

AISA LINEMAN

Remington Faile, Patrician

Radarion Glover, Abbeville Christian

Eli Whorton, Chambers Academy



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One Month at a Time: Christmas is what you make it |

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December 27, 2025

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Rosenberg National Little League registration underway for 2026 season

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December 27, 2025

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Rosenberg National Little League (RNLL) has officially opened registration for the Spring 2026 baseball season, welcoming boys and girls ages 4 through 14 to participate in one of the community’s longeststanding youth sports programs.

The Spring 2026 season will run from February through late May, with all practices and games held at Seabourne Creek Regional Sports Complex in Rosenberg.

RNLL offers divisions ranging from Tee Ball for firsttime players through Junior Baseball for older youth, with a strong emphasis on player development, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

Registration closes on Jan. 25. Players must be registered by the close of registration to be eligible for evaluations and team placement. Registration fees vary by division and help support uniforms, equipment, field maintenance, umpires, and league operations.

New for Spring 2026, RNLL is introducing a Rookie Ball division for players ages 5–6 who have completed one season of Tee Ball. Rookie Ball is designed to bridge the gap between Tee Ball and Coach Pitch by allowing players to see a limited number of coach-thrown pitches before using a tee if needed, helping young athletes build confidence while learning the fundamentals of live pitching.

Player evaluations will be held following the close of registration, except for Tee Ball and Rookie Ball, which do not require evaluations. Practices are expected to begin in early February, with games starting after Spring Break. The season will conclude prior to Memorial Day.

Rosenberg National Little League is led by dedicated volunteers and coaches who focus on teaching the game in a positive, supportive environment while fostering community involvement and youth development.

Families interested in registering for the Spring 2026 season can find additional information and complete registration online at www.rosenbergnationallittlelea-gue. net.

For updates and league announcements, the public is encouraged to follow Rosenberg National Little League on Facebook.





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Orange County boys basketball highlights, final scores for Friday, Dec. 26 –

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December 27, 2025

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THE CLASSIC AT DAMIEN

LA HABRA 63, WASHINGTON PREP 48: Acen Jimenez led the Highlanders with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. Josh Desatoff and Aaron Wilson each had 15 points and three 3-pointers for La Habra.

FOOTHILL 69, AQUINAS 51: Magnus Lawson had 20 points, Braeden Davidson 18 points and five rebounds, Marlee Slone 12 points, six rebounds and five assits and Damir Buckingham seven points and four assists to lead the Foothill Knights.

PACIFICA CHRISTIAN 64, REDWOOD 57: Pacifica Christian was led by Michael Noel, who scored 19 points and had assists. Joaquin Rigdon scored 18 points and Soloman Huang had seven points.

LOS AMIGOS 56, FOOTHILL, NEV. 51: Los Amigos (9-5) was led by Phillip Stewart, who had 18 points and seven rebounds and Jayvon Morgan, who had 10 points in the win over the Foothill team from Nevada.

JSERRA 71, ST. IGNATIUS, OHIO 70: The Lions (11-5) were led by Jaden Bailes with 29 points and Ryan Doane with 17 points.

Crean Lutheran 62, Owyhee 59

ESTANCIA COAST CLASSIC SHOOTOUT

WOODBRIDGE 65, WESTERN 35: Woodbridge (11-4) was led by Jaiden Sabino, who had 31 points and Zacc Saleh who scored 10 points. Woodbridge faces Compton Saturday at 9 a.m. at Estancia.

NEWPORT HARBOR 53, SAN CLEMENTE 46: Owen Saukkola led all scorers with 23 points. Marcel Aguilar added 16 points for the Sailors (10-3).

RINGO BOSSENMEYER TUSTIN HOLIDAY CLASSIC

TESORO 55, MERCER ISLAND 49: The Titans (14-2) were led by Owen Hatch who scored 14 points, Carson Hatch who had 10 points, three rebounds and two assists and Max Draper, who had eight points and 10 rebounds. The Titans face St. Anthony Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Tustin meets Servite at 7:30 p.m.

St. Anthony 60, Beckman 59

Servite 81, Huntington Park 21

Tustin 69, Hawaii Baptist 29

TORREY PINES CLASSIC

CYPRESS 64, MARANATHA CHRISTIAN 51: Ryan Gov led the Centurions (11-5) with 20 points. Ethan Mai added 18 points on six 3-pointers and Gavin Kroll had 14 points with two 3-pointers.

MT. CARMEL TOURNAMENT

EL DORADO 85, EASTLAKE, SAN DIEGO 69: Noah Barker had 20 points, Jack Boettner 18 points, Ryan Northcott 16 points, Elias Rodarte 15 points and Evan Nam 13 points to lead the Golden Hawks (13-1).

ORANGE HOLIDAY CLASSIC

SHADOW RIDGE 50, IRVINE 49: Irvine (7-8) was led by Evan Terakawa, who had 13 points. Holden Stearns and Chase Brito had 11 points each and Jalen Yim eight points for the Vaqueros, who face Incline, Nev. Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Fullerton 54, Boulder City, Nev. 42

Incline, Nev. 52, Orange 32

DESERT HOLIDAY CLASSIC

VILLA PARK 79, SIMI VALLEY 44: Villa Park (11-6) was led by Sebastian Perez, who had 17 points and four 3-pointers. Jordan Salem had 15 points, seven rebounds and five blocks for the Spartans. Jalen Cotton had 10 points and Nathan Chung nine points.

LAS VEGAS PREP CHAMPIONSHIPS

Doral Academy Red Rock 59, Sunny Hills 50

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com



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