Connecticut's first Black woman chief public defender placed on paid administrative leave

HARTFORD, Conn. — The first Black woman to be appointed as Connecticut's chief public defender was suspended Friday following months of disagreement with the commission that oversees the state's public defender services.

TaShun Bowden-Lewis, who was chosen for the position in late May 2022 by the Public Defender Services Commission, was placed on paid administrative leave Friday pending an "investigation by the commission into certain behavior that if confirmed could be grounds for disciplinary action,” commission Chairman Richard N. Palmer told the Hartford Courant.

Bowden-Lewis' suspension came on the same day the union representing rank-and-file public defenders issued a vote of no confidence in her leadership, citing a “perpetual state of controversy and dysfunction” in the division of the state Judicial Branch.

Emails were left seeking comment with members of the law firm representing Bowden-Lewis, who did not speak with reporters after Friday's commission meeting.

Bowden-Lewis and different makeups of the commission have been at odds for months over who ultimately has the final authority on issues such hiring, purchasing and the mission of the division.