New Britain Fires Revenue Collector After Probe Uncovers Misconduct

Investigation finds unsecured cash, backdated tax payments, and years of alleged wrongdoing in the city's revenue collector's office.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:18pm

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An extreme close-up of a stack of cash and a calculator, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty aesthetic that conceptually represents the serious financial misconduct uncovered in the New Britain revenue collector's office.A city's financial oversight failures exposed through a forensic investigation of its revenue collector's office.New Britain Today

A months-long investigation into New Britain's revenue collector's office has uncovered a pattern of misconduct, including unsecured cash, backdated tax payments, and what officials describe as years of accountability failures. Mayor Bobby Sanchez has fired the city's revenue collector, Cheryl Blogoslawski, and is expanding the probe, stating that anyone who violated the public trust will be held accountable.

Why it matters

The findings point to a serious breakdown in oversight and accountability within a city office entrusted with taxpayer money. The alleged misconduct, which may have persisted for over a decade, raises concerns about the integrity of the city's financial management and the potential for further misuse of public funds.

The details

The investigation by the Crumbie Law Firm found that the Revenue Collector's Office had a longstanding practice of backdating tax payments, allowing certain taxpayers to avoid statutory interest. In one case, a motor vehicle tax due in July 2015 was not paid until June 2017, but the payment date was altered to avoid interest charges. Investigators also found that Blogoslawski herself had backdated payments, sometimes at the direction of the previous mayor's office. Additionally, the report highlights major lapses in handling cash, with instances of over $246,000 being left unsecured overnight.

  • The investigation into the New Britain revenue collector's office began in February 2026 when Cheryl Blogoslawski was placed on administrative leave.
  • On April 15, 2026, Mayor Bobby Sanchez announced that Blogoslawski had been fired and that the investigation would be expanded.

The players

Bobby Sanchez

The mayor of New Britain who announced the firing of the revenue collector and the expansion of the investigation.

Cheryl Blogoslawski

The former revenue collector of New Britain who was fired following the investigation into misconduct in her office.

Erin Stewart

The former mayor of New Britain from 2013 to 2025, who has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of the alleged incidents.

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What they’re saying

“The findings point to a longstanding breakdown in accountability and oversight that allowed misconduct to persist for years. That is why we have taken immediate action, terminating the Revenue Collector, making this report public, and referring this matter to the State's Attorney. Anyone who violated the public trust will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

— Bobby Sanchez, Mayor of New Britain

“I can definitively state that at no time did I ever direct anyone to backdate anyone's payments. Over my twelve years in office there were several times where I was involved in negotiating tax delinquencies and payment plans for individuals & businesses who owed back taxes.”

— Erin Stewart, Former Mayor of New Britain

What’s next

The investigation into the New Britain revenue collector's office has been expanded, and the matter has been referred to the State's Attorney for further review. The city is committed to holding anyone accountable who violated the public trust.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of strong financial oversight and accountability within local government offices entrusted with taxpayer money. The alleged misconduct in New Britain's revenue collector's office underscores the need for robust internal controls, regular audits, and a culture of transparency to prevent such breaches of the public trust.