Hartford — The upcoming federal trial of former Connecticut deputy budget director Kosta Diamantis is set to begin October 6, with jury selection already underway. Diamantis faces 22 counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and lying to federal investigators, stemming from allegations that he used his position overseeing the state’s school construction office to solicit bribes from contractors.

Prosecutors have submitted a witness list of more than 40 individuals, including current and former state officials and executives from some of Connecticut’s largest construction firms. The testimony is expected to revisit scandals that shook Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration in 2021.

Defense attorney Norm Pattis, representing Diamantis, has argued that jurors’ views of Lamont and his administration will be central to ensuring a fair trial. Pattis has requested that the court allow him to question jurors about potential political bias.

“Mr. Diamantis has been held hostage by these accusations for a long time,” Pattis said, stressing that his client looks forward to clearing his name.

The trial is expected to last two weeks and will feature testimony not only from construction executives who have already pleaded guilty, but also from municipal officials and even Diamantis’ daughter, whom prosecutors allege benefited from her father’s influence.