I-Team: Federal prosecutors asking for Hartford Treasurer’s Office records following Carmen Sierra’s sudden retirement

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - For weeks, questions have been swirling about the former Hartford Treasurer, after her abrupt resignation amid an audit. Now, federal prosecutors are asking questions, too.

The I-Team obtained a grand jury subpoena that shows the US Attorney’s Office in New Haven wants some of Carmen Sierra’s records.

Sierra was elected Treasurer in November 2023. She served as Interim Treasurer from September 2022 until she was elected. Sierra oversaw the city workers’ billion-dollar pension.

Prosecutors want records related to the pension/retirement fund; her city issued credit card, as well as “any documents related to violation of federal law by Sierra, including the crimes of conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud and money laundering.”

Brian Foley is our law enforcement expert. He says looking at the subpoena; he believes an investigation into Sierra has been going on for some time.

“Well, any time Uncle Sam throws together a grand jury and starts throwing out subpoenas, yeah, it’s a big deal, and it’s serious,” Foley said.

The grand jury subpoena was issued on July 8th. That’s the same day she was confronted in her old office by six Hartford Police officers, as well as the Chief. They say they got a call accusing Sierra of shredding documents. Sierra resigned two days earlier.

In all, the subpoena lists 13 categories of records attorneys want to review. Those include records related to the retirement fund.

Foley says his sources tell him the Pension Fund is not compromised but that, “I think you’re going to see a lot of conspiracy and bribery type of investigations going on.”

Among the subpoena requests, “all documents shredded or attempted to be shredded” by Sierra the day she was confronted.

A police report says some shredded paper was found nearby, but no shredder was found in Sierra’s actual office. Police did not say in their report if they confirmed the shredded paper had been related to Sierra.

Sierra and her attorneys have repeatedly denied she shredded any documents.

Foley believes Hartford Police are continuing their investigation as well.

Foley pointed out that on the police report from the day Sierra was confronted in her office, there’s a big name.

“They sent their best, probably the best, financial crimes detective in the state. He’s the one that went and filled out that report,” says Foley. “What does that tell me? They knew what they were dealing with well in advance of when that happened, for him to already be on that case.”

But the subpoena goes beyond potential shredding. It also zeroes in on how Sierra spent city money.

The I-Team was the first to report Sierra’s spending with her city credit card. The I-Team found Sierra spent more than $23,000 in 3 years on travel. Those included trips to Puerto Rico, Mexico and Key West.

Sierra also approved more than $20,000 in travel for employees.

The City’s Internal Audit Commission is currently conducting an audit of the Treasurer’s Office and the billion-dollar pension fund.

Sierra hasn’t been charged with any crimes.

She says the reason for her sudden retirement is to spend time with her ailing father.

Foley believes this will all take a while.

“These types of alleged financial crimes can drag out for a long time,” says Foley. “There’s a lot of records that have to be reviewed.”

GRAND JURY SUBPOENA request:

The grand jury subpoena was issued on July 8, 2026 to the City Attorney (this is the same day she was confronted in the office) is returnable on July 14, 2026 before the federal grand jury sitting that date in New Haven, Connecticut.

US Attorney David Sullivan asked the City of Hartford for the following documents:

For the period January 1, 2024 to the present:

1. A list of all the City of Hartford Municipal Employees Retirement Fund’s investment management contracts or agreements.

2. All documents related to the City of Hartford Municipal Employees Retirement Fund’s investment management contracts or agreements.

3. Documents sufficient to show all expenses of the City of Hartford Municipal Employees Retirement Fund.

4. A list of all employees (including name and title) employed by or working in the City of Hartford Treasurer’s Office.

5. All documents shredded or attempted to be destroyed by Carmen Sierra on July 8, 2026.

6. Documents sufficient to show all expenditures related to a $6 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant received by the City of Hartford in 2023.

7. City of Hartford Purchasing Card (P-Card) Program Policies and Procedures Manual.

8. City of Hartford Purchasing Cardholder Agreement for Carmen Sierra.

9. Documents related to any P-Card training received by Carmen Sierra.

10. All account statements for the P-Card assigned to Carmen Sierra.

11. All expense reports and receipts related to purchases made with the P-Card assigned to Carmen Sierra.

12. All documents related to Carmen Sierra’s use of her P-Card, including any internal complaints regarding such usage.

13. All documents related to any violation of federal law by Carmen Sierra of which the recipient is aware, including violation of Title 18, United States Code, §§ 371 (conspiracy), 666 (bribery concerning programs receiving Federal funds), 1343 (wire fraud), 1349 (conspiracy), and 1956 (money laundering).

Statement of Attorney Darnell D. Crosland on Behalf of Carmen Sierra:

July 29, 2026

“This is a federal grand jury subpoena — not an indictment, not a charge, and not a finding of wrongdoing. It was issued out of the public corruption unit, and issuing subpoenas like this is simply what that unit does as part of any thorough investigation. We intend to cooperate fully and provide everything that’s being requested, because we have nothing to hide and nothing to hide from. 

I am confident that when the review is complete, no charges will follow, because no crime was committed. My client has said from the outset, and continues to say, that this entire episode has caused serious and unwarranted damage to a reputation built over fourteen years of service to the City of Hartford. Instead of gratitude for that service, she has been met with suspicion. She takes strong exception to that, and so do we."