Joe Ganim

Ganim was born to George W. Ganim Sr. and Josephine Ganim of Easton, Connecticut.[https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/23/style/weddings-joseph-ganim-and-jennifer-white.html Weddings: Joseph Ganim and Jennifer White], New York Times (May 23, 1993). Ganim's father was a prominent Bridgeport attorney and Republican Party loyalist who was a lieutenant of local Republican boss Ed Sandula.Sullivan, p. 97. Ganim, on the other hand, became a Democrat.

Ganim graduated from the University of Connecticut and received a J.D. degree in 1983 from the University of Bridgeport Law School (which later became Quinnipiac University School of Law).

In 1988, a young Ganim made his first run for office against Lee Samowitz in the 129th House District, a Connecticut House district in Bridgeport.Sullivan, p. 97. Ganim lost, but only by about 150 votes.

Ganim was elected the 51st mayor of Bridgeport in 1991, receiving 15,768 votes (54%) and defeating incumbent Mayor Mary C. Moran, who received 10,951 votes, and two minor party candidates, who got a combined total of 2,258 additional votes.Kirk Johnson, [https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/07/nyregion/new-mayor-in-bridgeport-faces-the-same-old-problems.html?pagewanted=2 New Mayor in Bridgeport Faces the Same Old Problems], New York Times (November 7, 1991). During his campaign, Ganim accused Moran of making the city "a symbol of urban failure with a bankruptcy filing that drew national headlines."

Ganim was reelected four times, serving five terms.Joseph De Avila, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/ganim-former-bridgeport-mayor-who-served-prison-time-wins-primary-1442508709 Ganim, Former Bridgeport Mayor Who Served Prison Time, Wins Primary], Wall Street Journal (September 17, 2015). In 1993, Ganim won reelection in a landslide, defeating Republican Anthony G. Minutolo by a 4–1 margin.Hilary Waldman, [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/03/nyregion/the-1993-elections-connecticut-mayor-perry-of-hartford-loses-to-an-independent.html Mayors in Waterbury, Bridgeport Re-elected], Hartford Courant (November 3, 1993). In 1995, Ganim defeated Republican challenger George H. Comer, the town chairman, by a 6–1 margin.Associated Press, [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/08/nyregion/election-1995-connecticut-waterbury-s-7-term-mayor-ousted.html Election 1995: Connecticut: Waterbury's 7-Term Mayor Ousted] (November 8, 1995).Jon Lender, [https://www.courant.com/1995/11/08/democrats-win-key-city-races-lose-waterbury/ Democrats Win Key City Races, Lose Waterbury], Hartford Courant (November 8, 1995).

At the time Ganim took office, the city's dire financial straits caused it to be the only municipality in Connecticut to have its finances under the control of a state board. The state board had ordered the city to raise its property taxes by 18 percent to close a $16 million budget shortfall for the 1991–92 fiscal year. Ganim also campaigned on a law and order platform, promising to hire a hundred new city police officers to combat crime. One reason why Ganim was elected was because "there were few politicians who wanted the grief of being mayor of Bridgeport for the paltry salary of $52,000 a year, hence there was not a lot of strong opposition with which Ganim had to contend." When Ganim became Bridgeport's fiftieth mayor, he was the youngest person to hold the office in city history.Sullivan, pp. 97–98.

As mayor, Ganim began to clean up the city's East End, reducing the area's notorious crime rates, and reclaiming real estate from drug gangs. Under Ganim, the city installed street lights and street signs and planted trees and flowers. In 1992, the city removed a pile of construction debris (labeled "Mount Trashmore") that had been illegally dumped by a demolition business.[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/14/nyregion/mount-trashmore-to-be-removed.html 'Mount Trashmore' to Be Removed], Associated Press (May 14, 1992).

{{See also|1994 Connecticut gubernatorial election}}

In 1994, three years after becoming mayor, Ganim ran for the Democratic nomination for governor of Connecticut. Ganim withdrew from the race in July 1994, less than a week before the Connecticut Democratic convention, after lagging in the polls, and endorsed John B. Larson, the State Senate president pro tem and the front-runner for the party's nomination.Michele Jacklin, [https://www.courant.com/1994/06/18/ganims-new-gubernatorial-campaign-ad/ Ganim's New Gubernatorial Campaign Ad], Hartford Courant (June 18, 1994).[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/08/nyregion/ganim-is-leaving-race-for-governor.html Ganim Is Leaving Race for Governor], New York Times (July 8, 1994).Craig W. Baggott & Michele Jacklin, [https://www.courant.com/1994/07/08/ganim-drops-out-of-race-for-governor-backs-larson/ Ganim Drops Out of Race For Governor, Backs Larson], Hartford Courant (July 8, 1994).

In 1997, Ganim defeated Republican challenger Joan K. Magnuson by a huge margin.Sullivan, p. 107. In that election, Ganim's appearances on taxpayer-funded commercials "boosting his city's image" were criticized by his opponents, who believed that the commercials were tools for re-election.Peggy McCarthy, [https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/02/nyregion/when-all-politics-is-truly-local.html When All Politics Is Truly Local], New York Times (November 2, 1997).

Under Ganim, the City of Bridgeport joined a number of U.S. cities (others included New Orleans, Miami, and Chicago) to file legal actions against the handgun industry, arguing that they were liable for product liability negligence in failing to use technology to make their products safer, leading to handgun violence.Fred Musante, [https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/31/nyregion/after-tobacco-handgun-lawsuits.html?pagewanted=all After Tobacco, Handgun Lawsuits], New York Times (January 31, 1999).Bruce Shapiro, [http://www.thenation.com/article/going-gunmakers/ Going for the Gunmakers], The Nation (February 4, 1999).David Segal, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/01/27/blaming-bullets-for-urban-blight-conn-mayor-to-sue-gunmakers/97153ad6-d367-4036-aaca-6832d511eec2/ Blaming Bullets for Urban Blight, Conn. Mayor to Sue Gunmakers], Washington Post (January 27, 1999). Such suits were inspired by successful litigation against the tobacco industry. The City of Bridgeport's suit was filed in Connecticut Superior Court in January 1999; it named Smith & Wesson, 11 other U.S. firearms manufacturers, three handgun trade associations, and a dozen gun dealers in southwestern Connecticut as defendants. Ganim said that the city's action aimed at "creating law with litigation...That's the route that we're going because [the industry has] always very effectively, with big money, lobbied the legislature and kept laws from being passed." The city sought $100 million in damages for the cost of human life lost and the public cost of treating shooting victims; Ganim said that the city would agree to a settlement, "if the companies will agree to improve the design of their handguns to prevent their misuse." The suit was unsuccessful: the court dismissed for lack of standing in December 1999,John Springer, [https://www.courant.com/1999/12/11/makers-of-guns-prevail-in-court/ Makers of Guns Prevail in Court: Dismissal of Bridgeport's Suit Hurts Cases Nationwide], Hartford Courant (December 11, 1999). and the dismissal was unanimously upheld by the state supreme court in 2001.[https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/Cases/AROcr/258cr129.pdf Ganim v. Smith and Wesson Corp.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203224/https://www.jud.ct.gov/external/supapp/Cases/AROcr/258cr129.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }}, 1258 Conn. 313, 780 A.2d 98 (2001).Lynne Tuohy, [https://www.courant.com/2001/10/02/court-disarms-gun-lawsuit/ Court Disarms Gun Lawsuit], Hartford Courant (October 2, 2001).

In 1999, Ganim was one of three American mayors to receive the City Livability Program Award from the United States Conference of Mayors.Kathy Amoroso, [http://www.usmayors.org/usmayornewspaper/documents/06_28_99/award_conference.htm 1999 City Livability Program Award Winners Announced at Annual Conference of Mayors in New Orleans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085655/http://www.usmayors.org/usmayornewspaper/documents/06_28_99/award_conference.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}, 67th Annual Conference of Mayors. The award was conferred for Ganim's "Clean and Green program," which addressed urban decay and blight through a beautification campaign which saw the demolition of more than five buildings and the development of twelve new city parks. A cornerstone of the city's redevelopment efforts was the construction of a new baseball park (The Ballpark at Harbor Yard) for a minor league baseball team, the building of a new arena (Webster Bank Arena), and the redevelopment of industrial land on the city's waterfront.Joseph De Avila, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/felon-ex-mayor-seeks-old-job-in-bridgeport-1431651470 Felon Ex-Mayor Seeks Old Job in Bridgeport], Wall Street Journal (May 14, 2015). Ganim's term also saw the competition of demolition of Father Panik Village—a housing project notorious for drugs and violent crime; the final fifteen buildings were razed in 1993.Sullivan, p. 100.

Ganim also benefited personally, however, by collecting kickbacks from developers, eventually leading to his prosecution (see below).

On March 19, 2003, Ganim was convicted of 16 federal counts: one count each of racketeering, extortion, racketeering conspiracy, and bribery; two counts of bribery conspiracy; eight counts of mail fraud, and two counts of filing a false tax return.[https://www.courant.com/2014/04/09/court-right-to-deny-law-license-to-ganim-2/ Editorial: Court Right to Deny Law License to Ganim: State Supreme Court squashes former mayor's effort to get license back], Hartford Courant (April 9, 2014).Paul von Zielbauer, [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/20/nyregion/bridgeport-mayor-convicted-on-16-charges-of-corruption.html Bridgeport Mayor Convicted On 16 Charges of Corruption], New York Times (March 20, 2003). Ganim was acquitted on six other counts. Ganim surrendered his law license upon conviction. Over six years, Ganim engaged in a shakedown of city contractors, accepting more than a half-million dollars; he took bribes in the form of cash, food and wine, clothing, home renovations, and diamonds.Russell Berman, [https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/11/from-prison-to-the-mayors-office/414214/ From a Prison Cell to the Mayor's Office], The Atlantic (November 4, 2015). In April 2003, two weeks after being convicted, Ganim resigned from office.John Christoffersen, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=20030402&id=RAsiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LnMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3269,904065&hl=en Ganim resigns as Bridgeport mayor following his conviction], Associated Press (April 2, 2003). He was replaced by councilman John M. Fabrizi.

Ganim faced a possible sentence of up to 126 years, $500,000 in restitution, and $4 million in fines. Federal prosecutors asked for a sentence of ten years and one month, while the defense asked for a sentence of no more than three years and ten months.Paul von Zielbauer, [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/02/nyregion/federal-judge-sentences-former-mayor-of-bridgeport-to-9-years-in-corruption-case.html Federal Judge Sentences Former Mayor of Bridgeport to 9 Years in Corruption Case], New York Times (March 20, 2003). Testimonials seeking leniency were filed with the court on Ganim's behalf, including one from Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York. On July 1, 2003, U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton sentenced Ganim to nine years in prison and about $300,000 in fines and restitution, in addition to $175,000 that he had previously stipulated that he owed. Judge Arterton said that Ganim's crimes were "stuff that cynicism is made of" and determined by clear and convincing evidence that Ganim had "lied to the jury when he denied any knowledge of fee-splitting deals and other incriminating evidence." Ganim appealed, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld Ganim's convictions in December 2007.[https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-2nd-circuit/1100995.html United States of America v. Joseph P. Ganim], 510 F.3d 134 (2nd Cir. 2007).

Ganim surrendered in September 2003 and served most of his sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey.[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/18/nyregion/metro-briefing-connecticut-bridgeport-ganim-to-serve-time-at-fort-dix.html Metro Briefing: Connecticut: Bridgeport: Ganim to Serve Time at Fort Dix], New York Times (July 18, 2003).Associated Press, [http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20090211/ganim-moved-to-federal-prison-in-pa Ganim moved to federal prison in Pa.] (February 11, 2009). He unsuccessfully petitioned for a transfer to FCI Otisville in New York, to be with his family.[http://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2060&context=thirdcircuit_2007 Ganim v. Federal Bureau of Prisons], 235 F. App'x 882 (3d Cir. 2007). In 2009, Ganim was transferred to the FCI McKean prison camp in Pennsylvania. Ganim then served the last seven months of his sentence at a halfway house in Hartford.Associated Press, [http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20100719/ex-bridgeport-mayor-ganim-freed-from-prison Ex-Bridgeport Mayor Ganim freed from prison] (July 19, 2010). Ganim's sentence was reduced by a year for participating in a drug-treatment program.

In July 2010, Ganim was released after serving seven years in prison. After his release, Ganim worked as a legal assistant at his family's law firm in Bridgeport.Daniel Tepfer, [http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Court-Ganim-still-can-t-practice-law-5389202.php Court: Ganim still can't practice law], Connecticut Post (April 9, 2014). Ganim and his brother George Ganim Jr. also opened a consulting service, Federal Prison Consultant LLC, which offered other white-collar convicts advice on surviving federal prison terms.Michael P. Mayko & Daniel Tepfer, [http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Ganim-looks-to-help-inmates-720791.php Ganim looks to help inmates], Connecticut Post (October 26, 2010).

After being released from prison, Ganim also sought restoration of his license to practice law. In 2012, a five-member panel of the State of Connecticut Grievance Committee recommended that Ganim's license be restored.Daniel Tepfer, [http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Ganim-gets-backing-in-quest-for-law-license-3383916.php Ganim gets backing in quest for law license], Connecticut Post (March 5, 2012). In September 2012, a three-judge panel of Connecticut Superior Court judges rejected the recommendation, writing that: "Allowing an applicant to be readmitted to the practice of law following a conviction on 16 counts of racketeering, conspiracy, extortion, mail fraud, bribery and filing false income tax returns without any apology, expression of remorse, or explanation, and with only a vague acceptance of an unspecified event, simply would set the bar for readmission too low in the state, and we are unwilling to do that."Daniel Tepfer, [http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Ganim-denied-law-license-3898969.php Ganim denied law license], Connecticut Post (September 27, 2012). Ganim appealed to the Connecticut Supreme Court in 2014, which unanimously ruled against his effort to have his law license restored. The court cited "the extensiveness" of Ganim's criminal offenses as well as his "failure to acknowledge or explain" them.[https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17233316276498184276 Statewide Grievance Committee v. Ganim], 87 A.3d 1078, 311 Conn. 430 (2014). In 2017, Ganim applied to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut for permission to practice in that federal court without being readmitted to the Connecticut bar; these efforts were rebuffed by the court.Edmund H. Mahony, [http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-joe-ganim-law-license-20171204-story.html Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim Rebuffed Again On Law License], Hartford Courant (December 4, 2017).

In 2021, Ganim again sought reinstatement of his license to practice law.Daniel Tepfer, [https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Bridgeport-Mayor-Ganim-applies-for-law-license-15947037.php Bridgeport Mayor Ganim applies for law license again], CT Post (February 12, 2021). The Grievance Committee voted, 3–2, to recommend denial of Ganim's request, and in 2023 the Connecticut Superior Court agreed, finding that there was "insufficient" evidence that Ganim was morally fit to practice law.Jim Haddadin, [https://ctmirror.org/2023/07/25/joe-ganim-bridgeport-ct-law-license-reject/ Court rejects Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim's bid to regain law license], Connecticut Public Radio (July 25, 2023).

{{see also|2015 Bridgeport, Connecticut mayoral election}}

On January 1, 2015, Ganim offered a public apology to the City of Bridgeport for his corruption scandal, saying: "I'm truly sorry."Edmund H. Mahony, [http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-joe-ganim-is-back-20150125-story.html Joe Ganim: Is He Back?], Hartford Courant (January 25, 2015). The apology—as well as visits to churches in city's mainly African-American east side, a former stronghold for Ganim during his days as mayor—fueled speculation about a return to politics for Ganim. In March 2015, Ganim moved back to Bridgeport from Easton, where he had been living.Ken Dixon & Brian Lockhart, [http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Ganim-wins-in-landslide-6609003.php Ganim wins in landslide], Connecticut Post (November 4, 2015).

In May 2015, Ganim officially entered the race for mayor, filing paperwork to challenge incumbent Democrat Bill Finch as mayor of Bridgeport.Jim Shay, [http://blog.ctnews.com/connecticutpostings/2015/05/06/gamin-says-officially-hes-running-for-bridgeport-mayor/ Ganim says, officially, he's running for Bridgeport mayor], Connecticut News (May 6, 2015). Ganim won the endorsement of the Bridgeport police union.Brian Lockhart, [http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Ganim-gets-police-union-s-official-support-6363920.php Ganim gets police union's official support], Connecticut Post (July 2, 2015). Ganim also won the key support of local clergy and the Democratic machine led by Democratic Town Committee chairman Mario Testa.Brian Lockhart, [http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Ganim-stays-one-step-ahead-6530715.php Ganim stays one step ahead], Connecticut Post (September 27, 2015).

In September 2015, Ganim won the Democratic primary, making "a big step toward completing an improbable political comeback." Ganim defeated two primary opponents: Finch, the incumbent mayor, and University of Bridgeport vice president Mary–Jane Foster, co-founder of the Bridgeport Bluefish minor-league baseball team.Diane Orson, [http://wnpr.org/post/why-bridgeports-mayoral-race-closer-youd-think#stream/0 Why Bridgeport's Mayoral Race is Closer Than You'd Think], WNPR (September 15, 2015). Ganim received 6,264 votes, Finch 5,859, and Foster 1,177.[http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Bridgeport-primary-election-returns-6506862.php Bridgeport primary election returns], Connecticut Post (September 17, 2015).

In the days after the primary election, Finch sought to run in the general election under the "Job Creation Party" ballot line, while Foster announced she would not seek to appear on the general-election ballot as a petitioning candidate.Mark Pazniokas, [http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-bridgeport-finch-not-on-ballot-0922-20150921-story.html Mayor Bill Finch Off Bridgeport Ballot; Re-Election Options Slim], Hartford Courant (September 21, 2015). However, Finch's campaign missed a filing deadline, and he dropped out of the race; Foster jumped back into the race, receiving Finch's endorsement.Ray Hardman & Ryan Caron King, [http://wnpr.org/post/bridgeport-mayor-bill-finch-drops-out-mayoral-race-endorses-mary-jane-foster Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch Drops Out of Mayoral Race, Endorses Mary–Jane Foster], WNPR (September 29, 2015).

During his campaign, Ganim promised to reduce taxes, lower crime by adding more police officers, and lower unemployment, which is high in Bridgeport. He managed to persuade Edward Adams, a former FBI agent who helped convict Ganim on corruption charges, to support his campaign. However, Michael Wolf, the FBI special agent-in-charge of Connecticut during the Ganim investigation, fired back with a letter published in the Connecticut Post saying that Adams was not the lead investigator in the Ganim case, and writing that "a mayor who swindled a city he was entrusted to govern, should not be given the opportunity to do it again."Dave Collins, [http://www.courant.com/community/bridgeport/hc-ap-bridgeport-mayor-race-joe-ganim-fbi-1030-20151029-story.html Ex-FBI Agents in a War of Words Over Ganim Mayoral Campaign in Bridgeport], Associated Press (October 29, 2015). Wolf called Ganim the "poster boy" of corrupt Connecticut politicians, a group that included former Governor John G. Rowland, former state Treasurer Paul J. Silvester, and former Bridgeport state Senator Ernest Newton II.

On November 3, 2015, Ganim won election as mayor by a wide margin, defeating Mary Jane Foster (a Democrat running as an unaffiliated candidate) and Republican nominee Enrique Torres, a city councilman.Associated Press, [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/nyregion/former-bridgeport-mayor-out-of-prison-declares-victory-in-primary.html Former Bridgeport Mayor, Out of Prison, Declares Victory in Primary] (September 17, 2015).[http://wtnh.com/2015/11/03/ex-convict-declares-victory-in-bridgeport-mayors-race/ Ex-convict declares victory in Bridgeport mayor's race] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105193609/http://wtnh.com/2015/11/03/ex-convict-declares-victory-in-bridgeport-mayors-race/ |date=November 5, 2015 }}, WTNH (November 3, 2015).Rob Polansky, et al. [http://www.wfsb.com/story/30432168/ex-con-ganim-returns-to-mayors-seat-in-bridgeport# Ex-con Ganim returns to mayor's seat in Bridgeport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107033517/http://www.wfsb.com/story/30432168/ex-con-ganim-returns-to-mayors-seat-in-bridgeport |date=November 7, 2015 }}, WFSB (November 4, 2015). Ganim's successful return to politics has been compared to Marion Barry Jr. of Washington and Vincent A. (Buddy) Cianci, Jr. of Providence, Rhode Island, other mayors who won re-election after criminal convictions. The New York Times reported Ganim's election victory as "a stunning return to public office ... remarkable for its sheer audacity, coming after a widely publicized fall from grace."

Ganim was sworn in on December 1, 2015.

{{Main|2018 Connecticut gubernatorial election}}

In 2017, Ganim filed paperwork creating an exploratory committee to run for governor of Connecticut in 2018. Ganim requested public campaign financing, which in Connecticut is available to qualified candidates. In April 2017, however, the Connecticut Elections Enforcement Commission denied his request due to a state law denying public funding to candidates convicted of "felonies related to public office."Rick Rojas & Kristin Hussey, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/nyregion/joseph-ganim-bridgeport-mayor-connecticut-governor.html A Disgraced and Re-elected Connecticut Mayor Eyes the Statehouse], New York Times (May 17, 2017).Edmund H. Mahony, [http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-joe-ganim-governors-race-financing-20171129-story.html Judge Deals Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim A Setback, Rejects His Effort To Obtain Public Campaign Financing], Hartford Courant (November 29, 2017). Ganim challenged the denial in federal court on constitutional grounds, but the U.S. District Court dismissed his suit in November 2017.

In his campaign against Ned Lamont for the nomination, Ganim unsuccessfully ran as "feisty, in-your-face campaign, which he tried to frame as a city-versus-suburban class struggle."Ken Dixon, [https://www.ctpost.com/politics/article/Ganim-congratulates-Lamont-on-primary-win-13156590.php State Democrats choose Lamont], CT Post (August 15, 2018). In the August 16, 2018, primary election, Ganim was defeated by a wide margin by Lamont, who received 172,088 votes (81.2%) to Ganim's 39,917 votes (18.8%).[https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/14/us/elections/results-connecticut-primary-elections.html Connecticut Primary Election Results], New York Times.

Ganim was reelected as mayor in 2019, securing a seventh term as mayor.

In February 2019, the FBI served a subpoena to Ganim's administration, which was obtained by the Connecticut Post. The subpoena revealed a federal grand jury in New Haven was investigating Ganim's administration for possible municipal corruption.{{cite news|url=https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Federal-subpoena-shows-Grand-Jury-probing-13637690.php|title=Federal subpoena shows Grand Jury probing Bridgeport|accessdate=August 10, 2020|date=February 22, 2019|first=Bill|last=Cummings}} Ganim's administration spent more than $500,000 responding to the criminal probe into Bridgeport, included the fees for private lawyers for multiple government officials including Ganim; the investigation was similar in some respects to FBI's criminal investigation into Ganim's actions as mayor in 2003.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=June 28, 2020|title=Bridgeport spends over $500,000 responding to federal probe|url=https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/bridgeport-fbi-probe-costs/520-57a203c3-f0fa-41c1-8ae6-d11bf4770be2|accessdate=August 10, 2020}}{{cite magazine|url=https://apnews.com/article/167c078be059361ffca91fcb2ce1363d|title=Bridgeport spends over $500,000 responding to federal probe|accessdate=August 10, 2020|date= June 27, 2020|magazine=Associated Press}} In September 2020, the city's Personnel Director and Chief of Police were indicted for wire fraud and making false statements. This was in connection with their conspiracy to rig the 2018 selection of Bridgeport's police chief. Ganim was not accused of any wrongdoing.{{Cite press release |date=2020-09-10 |title=Bridgeport Police Chief And Personnel Director Charged With Fraud, False Statements In Connection With City's Hiring of the Police Chief|publisher=United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/bridgeport-police-chief-and-personnel-director-charged-fraud-false-statements |access-date=2023-08-01|language=en}}

The Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission began an investigation into possible election-law violations in the 2019 Bridgeport Democratic mayoral primary, which Ganim narrowly won. In August 2023, the Commission recommended that three people tied to Ganim's campaign be criminally charged, forwarding the recommendation to the chief state's attorney.Ken Dixon & Brian Lockhart, [https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/bridgeport-ct-2019-absentee-ballot-investigation-18336339.php Three tied to Joe Ganim's 2019 Bridgeport mayoral campaign recommended for criminal charges], CT Insider (August 30, 2023).

In June of 2024, four individuals were arrested and charged with violations of elections law, including possession of absentee ballots: two campaign workers, as well as Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee Vice Chairperson Wanda Geter-Pataky and Democratic City Council Member Alfredo Castillo, both of whom would subsequently be arrested and charged with similar crimes resulting from their actions in the 2023 mayoral Democratic primary. Prosecutors said the defendants variously directed voters for whom to vote, were present as the voters filled out their absentee ballots, and violated rules for handling absentee ballots and the applications to request them. Geter-Pataky and the campaign workers were also charged with witness tampering.

From 2012 through 2021, the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) determined that the City of Bridgeport had violated the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 28 times.Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Joshua Eaton & Brian Lockhart, [https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/joe-ganim-bridgeport-continually-breaks-ct-17771214.php In Bridgeport, waiting years for public records while officials break transparency laws], CT Insider (February 9, 2023, updated May 23, 2023). Although Bridgeport makes up only 4% of Connecticut's population, it was responsible for 17% of all FOIA violations as determined by FOIC. In August 2022, a FOIC commissioner said that Bridgeport officials had "continually" engaged in an "ongoing pattern" of failing to comply with law. The Commission fined the city $750 for failing to comply with the law.

An investigation by Hearst Connecticut Media in early 2023 found that, during Ganim's tenure as mayor, the City of Bridgeport routinely failed to comply with the Connecticut FOIA; routinely stonewalled public-records requests (sometimes delaying responses up to two years), and had a backlog of more than 2,000 pending requests. The report also found that city leaders had "inexplicably abandoned their own proposals" to clear the backlog and expedite processing. Ganim's administration contended that the high backlog was caused in part by the city's introduction of a new "user-friendly public portal" that facilitated the submission of more FOIA requests than before.

In the September 2023 Democratic primary for the Bridgeport mayoral race, Ganim was initially declared the winner, defeating his opponent, former Bridgeport chief administrative officer John Gomes, by 251 votes out of 8,173 cast.Susan Haight, [https://apnews.com/article/connecticut-judge-bridgeport-ganim-mayor-election-1e6d23567703c55430968ffdaa0b6369 Connecticut judge orders new mayoral primary after surveillance videos show possible ballot stuffing], Associated Press (November 1, 2023). Gomes successfully challenged the race in Connecticut Superior Court. After a three-day trial,Brian Lockhart, [https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/ganim-listening-tour-new-primary-gomes-bridgeport-18524669.php After close wins, Ganim seeks to re-engage with Bridgeport voters ahead of new primary], CTPost (December 2, 2023). in which surveillance video footage, showing two women stuffing white envelopes into outdoor absentee ballot drop boxes, was introduced into evidence, Judge William Clark invalidated the Democratic mayoral primary results, and ordered a new Democratic primary to be held. Gomes' lawyer tallied the submission of 1,253 absentee ballots, despite surveillance videos only showing 420 people using the boxes.{{Cite news |last=Nierenberg |first=Amelia |date=4 November 2023 |title=Ballot-Stuffers Caught on Camera Have Upended a Race for Mayor|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/04/nyregion/bridgeport-connecticut-mayor-election.html |access-date=5 November 2023}} Judge Clark found that two women were directly involved in 15 incidents of ballot stuffing, that both were "partisans" for Ganim, and that the ballot-stuffing episodes were "shocking" and "conscious acts with partisan purpose" rather than random. Ganim denied any involvement in ballot-stuffing. Because the judge had no authority to postpone the general election, the general election took place as scheduled in November 2023, before a second Democratic primary was scheduled. The New York Times described the Bridgeport election as perhaps "the most confusing election in the country" due to the legal uncertainties surrounding the race.

After the September 2023 primary irregularities, the state oversaw the Bridgeport general election, appointing an election monitor as well as attorneys from the Secretary of the State's Office to oversee the pickup of ballots from drop boxes and the counting of votes. The state also submitted a request from Bridgeport police for surveillance video footage of ballot drop-box.Kate Seltzer, Ashad Hajela & Bria Lloyd, [https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2023-11-07/in-bridgeport-voters-head-to-polls-in-confusing-election-that-may-decide-the-citys-next-mayor Joe Ganim declares lead in Bridgeport mayoral election, but race still up in the air], Connecticut Public Radio (November 8, 2023).

The general election included four candidates for mayor: Ganim, Gomes (who ran on the Independent Party of Connecticut ballot line), Republican David Herz, and "petitioning candidate" (unaffiliated) Lamond Daniels. Ganim's campaign raised just under $579,000, while Gomes' campaign raised about $365,000.Brian Lockhart, [https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/bridgeport-mayor-fundraising-ganim-gomes-daniels-18483323.php Fundraising for Bridgeport mayor's race tops $1M, with primary do-over looming], CT Post (November 12, 2023). In the November 2023 election, Ganim was declared the winner: Ganim received 5,729 votes, Gomes 5,550, Daniels 1,836, and Herz 765. Under the city charter, a mayor's new term would have begun on December 1, 2023. However, because the results of the 2023 mayoral election were not certified, Ganim was not sworn in on December 1, 2023, but, pursuant to the city charter, continued in office until the election do-over could be completed and the election result could be certified.Brian Lockhart, [https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/ganim-won-t-be-sworn-in-as-mayor-18495601.php Bridgeport swearing-in ceremony to go forward without Ganim], CT Post (November 17, 2023).

After the Superior Court's order, negotiations on a new primary election date took place between the Ganim, Gomes, and the Secretary of the State's Office; the three sides ultimately agreed to recommend to the court new election dates.Dave Altimari, [https://ctmirror.org/2023/11/15/ct-bridgeport-election-new-primary-date/ Bridgeport primary election: Ganim, Gomes camps pick new date], CT Mirror (November 15, 2023). The court accepted the recommendations and set a new primary for January 23, 2024, and a new general election on February 27, 2024. Ganim won the new primary by 1,077 votes, or 12%{{cite news |last1=Lockhart |first1=Brian |title=Bridgeport primary: How Ganim turned out the vote in January |url=https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/ganim-turnout-bridgeport-primary-18627838.php}} and the new general election by 20-point margin, securing his third consecutive four-year term.{{cite news |last1=Lockhart, Dixon |first1=Brian, Ken |title=Bridgeport election: Ganim wins again; Gomes tells supporters 'Our journey has ended' |url=https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/ganim-gomes-election-bridgeport-february-18689673.php}}

In February 2025, five individuals were arrested and criminally charged with violations of elections law relating to absentee ballots during the 2023 election; while voters were filling in their absentee ballots, they were allegedly present, lied to the voters about absentee ballot laws, and pressured the voters to choose specific candidates. Two of the five, prominent Bridgeport Democratic political operatives City Councilman Alfredo Castillo and Town Committee Vice Chair Wanda Geter-Pataky, had been arrested and charged less than a year before for similar crimes resulting from their actions during the 2019 mayoral primary.{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Dave |date=2025-02-21 |title=5 tampered with absentee ballots in Connecticut's largest city, authorities say |url=https://apnews.com/article/bridgeport-connecticut-absentee-ballots-arrests-3ece0f508b718522a107cb5022659414 |access-date=2025-02-25 |work=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Haigh |first1=Susan |last2=Collins |first2=Dave |date=2024-06-11 |title=Four Connecticut campaign workers charged with mishandling absentee ballots in 2019 mayoral primary |url=https://apnews.com/article/bridgeport-connecticut-absentee-ballots-df90926a1ae4c1e89fd41913a85d45c8 |access-date=2025-02-25 |work=AP News |language=en}}

In 1993, Ganim (then the 33-year-old mayor of Bridgeport) married Ellen Jennifer White, known as Jennifer. The couple wed at the St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport in a ceremony performed by Bishop Edward M. Egan (later cardinal) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport. They have three children.Daniel Tepfer & Brian Lockhart, [http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Joe-Ganim-pleads-for-lower-alimony-payments-6104072.php Joe Ganim pleads for lower alimony payments] (February 26, 2015).

In 2014, the couple divorced. In 2015, a Connecticut Superior Court judge agreed to Ganim's request for a reduction in Ganim's alimony payments he sought on the basis of his low income and lack of business in his consulting job.

In May 2023, Ganim sold his home in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport for $1.13 million, three times what he paid to purchase the property two years earlier, and purchased a condo in Black Rock.Brian Lockhart, [https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/ganim-sells-bridgeport-home-triple-purchase-price-18105156.php Ganim sells Bridgeport home for over triple the purchase price] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108142850/https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/ganim-sells-bridgeport-home-triple-purchase-price-18105156.php |date=November 8, 2023 }}, CT Post (May 18, 2023).Ken Dixon & Brian Lockhart, [https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/joe-ganim-bridgeport-seec-investigation-18461959.php CT election officials to probe whether Joe Ganim lives in Bridgeport], CT Insider (November 6, 2023).

In November 2023, one week before Election Day, the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission voted unanimously to investigate a complaint, submitted by a former Bridgeport city employee, that alleges that Ganim is not a resident of Bridgeport. The complaint alleges that Ganim actually lives in a three-acre home in Easton, Connecticut, which he owns. Ganim called the complaint "ridiculous" and said that he lived in his condo in the city.

{{reflist|30em}}

• Rob Sullivan, Political Corruption in Bridgeport: Scandal in the Park City (The History Press: 2014)

• [http://www.ganimforbridgeport.com Official website]
• {{C-SPAN|21976}}

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