US Attorney: Westport Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax Charge
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that THOMAS PACILIO, 64, of Westport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to a federal tax offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2011, Pacilio and his partner started Clapboard Hill Advisors LLC, a financial services business headquartered in Westport. In 2013, Pacilio created Alcamo Holding Corporation Inc. (“Alcamo”), an 1120S corporation, and transferred his Clapboard Hill Advisors partnership interest to Alcamo. In 2014, Pacilio, through Alcamo, and his partner, through a separate 1120S corporation, sold Clapboard Hill Advisors to McGladrey Wealth Management LLC (“McGladrey”). Under the sale agreement, McGladrey agreed to make a lump sum payment at closing. Thereafter, Pacilio was to become an employee of McGladrey for three years subject to a non-competition provision. In addition to being paid a salary by McGladrey, if Pacilio remained an employee, Pacilio would receive a $350,000 payment on each anniversary of the sale for three years. He would also receive a portion of McGladrey’s annual gross revenue of up to $150,000 for the first year, $350,000 for the second year, and $450,000 for the third year.
In pleading guilty, Pacilio admitted that, for the 2015 through 2018 tax years, he filed individual income tax returns that omitted installment payments related to the sale of Clapboard Hill Advisors to McGladrey. In total, he omitted approximately $1,476,425 that should have been reported either as ordinary income or as capital gains, which resulted in a tax loss of $286,328 to the IRS.
Pacilio pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for April 6.
Pacilio is released on a $350,000 pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.
Wendy Petty Announced as next Director of Westport Center for Senior Activities
Contributed photoFirst Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced today that Wendy Petty has been appointed as the Director of the Westport Center for Senior Activities (WCSA), effective February 1. The WCSA is an operation of the Town of Westport's Department of Human Services under the supervision of Westport's Human Services Director Elaine Daignault.
Wendy, a Fairfield resident, comes to Westport with a depth of experience and commitment to the senior community. She served as the Weston Senior Activities Center Director for the past 11 years and worked in Weston's Department of Social Services and corporate settings.
Under Wendy's leadership, Weston's Senior Center saw significant growth that helped to expand the center's offerings through fundraising, capacity-building, and advocacy. She has a strong history of establishing partnerships with local organizations, volunteer networks, colleagues, and social services agencies to realize innovative social and recreational opportunities for seniors.
First Selectwoman Tooker said, “Wendy's collaborative approach makes her an ideal candidate to lead the WCSA after the retirement of long-time Director Sue Pfister.”
Originally from Southern California, Wendy and her husband Jim raised their children in Weston, CT, and recently moved to Fairfield. She has a B.A. in Counseling and Human Services from Notre Dame de Namur University.
In addition to her specialty in senior services, Wendy is proficient in non-profit operations, team leadership, grant and program development, and budget administration.
“I am very happy to welcome Wendy to Westport's Center for Senior Activities,” said Tooker. “She brings professional expertise, operational management, and local knowledge to the Human Services team and, most importantly, to the WCSA.”
Added Petty, “I am very excited to join WCSA's team and look forward to building on their success as an exemplary hub for local seniors. Together, we will continue to provide the best possible care and service to the senior community.”
In her free time, Wendy enjoys running, taking long walks with friends, and spending time with family. Wendy and Jim are also active in the local car enthusiast community and enjoy weekend rallies on the beautiful back roads of Connecticut.
In addition to Wendy's appointment, effective February 1, 2023, First Selectwoman Tooker promoted Holly Betts to Assistant Director of WCSA and Jason Wilson to Program Specialist, effective January 1, 2023.
“The Senior Center's success can be attributed to a variety of factors, including a Town administration that prioritizes seniors, participants who both contribute and drive programming, and our professional staff members who facilitate connections and run the programs day in and day out,” said Daignault. “Under Sue Pfister's leadership, the WCSA's dedicated team helped to build the center of Westport's dreams.”
Daignault added, “Today, we prepare for a new era of growth and prosperity for our most esteemed senior residents. I could not be more excited to welcome Wendy to the team.”
Morning Weather Report
Today
Rain, mainly before 2pm. Patchy fog. High near 41. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A slight chance of rain before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 44. West wind around 7 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 26. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
RTM Called to Review Planning and Zoning Decision on Changes for Saugatuck
Town Clerk Jeff Dunkerton and Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Moderator Jeff Wieser notified the public today that the RTM will hold a special public meeting on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:30 PM via ZOOM to review the Planning and Zoning Commission’s December 12, 2022 decision regarding Text Amendment #819 (to create a new zoning district, §24C, General Business District/ Saugatuck Marina (GBD/SM) and Map Amendment #820 (to modify the Westport Zoning Map to rezone eleven (11) properties from General Business District (GBD) to proposed §24C, General Business District/Saugatuck Marina (GBD/SM).
Pursuant to the Westport Town Charter C10-4, “any action by the Planning & Zoning Commission adopting, amending or repealing any zoning regulation or fixing or changing the boundary of any zoning district, or a negative 8-24 report by the Commission shall be subject to review by the Representative Town Meeting…”
Text Amendment #819 and Map Amendment #820 were adopted by the Planning & Zoning Commission on December 12, 2022 and the legal Notice of Decision was published on December 16, 2022. On December 22, 2022, petitioners submitted a request to the Town Clerk to place the item on the RTM Agenda for its review.
RTM Committee(s) will hold public meetings on Thursday, January 5, Tuesday, January 10 and Thursday, January 12 (if necessary) via ZOOM – details available at https://www.westportct.gov/about/advanced-components/meeting-list-calendar
The January 17, 2023 public hearing will be held via ZOOM with further instructions to follow. It will also be live streamed on the Town’s website at www.westportct.gov, and accessible on Optimum Government Access Channel 79 and Frontier Channel 6020.