Donovan Probe Widens. House Staffer Subpoenaed to Appear Before Federal Grand Jury.

More bad news for Democratic congressional hopeful Christopher Donovan. The federal investigation of the Speaker of the House’s campaign finances continues as the Democratic primary for the open open seat in the Fifth District draws near. At least one high ranking legislative staffer/political operative in the Donovan web has received a subpoena to appear before the grand jury investigating Donovan campaign practices, Daily Ructions can report.

Less than a month before the 3-way August 14th Democratic primary, Donovan has been straining to change the subject of the campaign from the Meriden Democrat’s self-inflicted wounds. Last week, the grand jury indicted former Donovan campaign finance chief Robert Braddock on charges arising out of an alleged scheme to trade illegal campaign contributions for favors in the legislature.

Donovan hired Republican former United States Attorney Stanley Twardy to conclude that the candidate had no knowledge of the alleged illegal activities at the center of the campaign. The feds appear to be unpersuaded by a short report more notable for the people who refused to speak to Twardy than for those who talked.