June 6th 2024.
TaShun Bowden-Lewis, a trailblazing figure as Connecticut's first Black chief public defender, found herself at the center of controversy as she was let go from her position due to a string of misconduct allegations and disagreements with the agency's oversight body.
After serving for two years, Bowden-Lewis was fired by the oversight commission on June 4th. The decision came after a total of 16 misconduct allegations were filed against her, ranging from accusations of racism and mistreatment of employees to improper use of email access. Despite vehemently denying all of the allegations during two public meetings in April, Bowden-Lewis was ultimately let go by a unanimous vote from the Public Defender Services Commission panel.
In the aftermath of the vote, the commission's chair, Mr. Palmer, expressed sympathy for Bowden-Lewis and acknowledged the difficult situation for all parties involved. He also spoke of the commission's initial optimism when Bowden-Lewis was appointed and expressed hope for a brighter future for both her and the division.
The tense disagreements that ultimately led to Bowden-Lewis's suspension in February of 2024 were fueled by accusations of misconduct and prompted a letter from Palmer that cited the commission's investigation into her behavior. Despite also being accused of making repeated claims of discrimination, bias, and retaliation against members, the board ultimately decided not to take that into consideration when making their decision. As stated in their official statement, "the interest in protecting the right to oppose discrimination outweighs the interest in avoiding meritless claims of discrimination."
The Connecticut Public Defender Attorneys Union showed their support for the decision, praising the dedication of its members to their important public mission. They also expressed excitement for the opportunity to work with a new Chief Public Defender who shares their commitment to serving the people of Connecticut with the utmost professionalism.
While Bowden-Lewis chose not to comment after the vote, her lawyer, Thomas Bucci, the former mayor of Bridegport, Connecticut, spoke out against the decision, calling it an "unlawful removal." According to Bucci, the process leading up to the vote was biased and unfair and served as an attempt to remove a highly capable and competent leader who was dedicated to upholding the integrity of the institution.
Despite the controversy surrounding her departure, Bowden-Lewis had a strong support system of advocates who believed she should remain in her position as chief public defender. She herself had expressed feeling as though she was not given a fair chance to succeed in the role and some Black and brown employees felt that her goals were being undermined by the "hyper-scrutinizing and undermining" of her decisions.
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