Former West Haven lawmaker asks to be released from prison more than a year early

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Former West Haven state representative Michael DiMassa, 32, currently serving a 27-month sentence for stealing more than $1.2 million of the city’s COVID-19 relief money, is asking for a sentence reduction due to “extraordinary and compelling reasons.”

A motion was filed on Monday with the federal court to have DiMassa’s sentence reduced to time served with a special condition that he serve an extended period of home confinement
while he is on supervised release, citing the deteriorating health of a family member since his incarceration began in December of 2023. He is currently serving his sentence in Lompoc, California.

His wife, Lauren DiMassa, was sentenced to six months in prison and five years of supervised release in March of 2023, after committing fraud in the same scheme.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Michael DiMassa is scheduled to be released on September 12, 2025. He was ordered to pay $685,844.45 in restitution as well.

The motion states that if the Federal Bureau of Prisons denies his request or does not respond, DiMassa and his representation have the right to file a motion for compassionate release directly with the federal court.

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