UPDATE: Former state representative Victor Cuevas has been arrested and charged with second-degree breach of peace in connection with a hate incident that occurred on August 22, 2023, in Waterbury. The arrest follows a widely circulated video showing Cuevas confronting and making homophobic remarks towards local politician Efrain Torres.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo confirmed that the incident, deemed a hate incident by authorities, did not escalate to a criminal violation. Chief Spagnolo stated that the Waterbury State’s Attorney Maureen Platt reviewed the encounter and determined that while bias was evident, there was no direct threat involved.
Cuevas turned himself in to police on a warrant this past Tuesday and was released on $20,000 bail. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly nearing the end of his probation, which he had completed without incident.
The incident unfolded downtown, where Torres, a former Republican Board of Aldermen candidate, was walking past the Republican Town Committee headquarters. In the video footage, Cuevas can be seen engaging Torres with aggressive language, asking, “What did you call me?” before launching into a series of derogatory comments. Torres, who was running in the 5th district, remained calm, responding only with, “See you later.”
Previously, Torres characterized the confrontation as a hate crime and has since refrained from commenting further, stating, “I don’t have a comment at this moment, but everything in its due time.”
The incident was reported by Officer Adrian Sanchez, who was off duty at the time and later won a seat on the Board of Aldermen. Torres has publicly accused Cuevas of damaging his reputation and has claimed ongoing harassment, alleging that Cuevas has repeatedly stalked him. Conversely, Cuevas contends that Torres instigated the confrontation by entering the Republican headquarters and making remarks about his taxes.
Dawn Maiorano, chairwoman of the Waterbury RTC, raised concerns about the timing of the police actions, suggesting a potential bias in how law enforcement handles political figures. “It raises serious questions about the weaponization of the Waterbury Police Department against individuals who do not align with the administration’s politics,” she expressed.
Spagnolo responded firmly, asserting that the investigation into Cuevas was thorough, with the arrest warrant approved by a sitting Superior Court judge after determining probable cause. He also clarified that Sanchez is not under investigation, reinforcing that disciplinary measures were taken regarding Sanchez’s late attendance to a Board of Aldermen meeting.
Mayor Paul Pernerewski dismissed Maiorano’s claims as “nonsense,” emphasizing that political affiliations do not exempt individuals from following the law. “There is no politics involved; both gentlemen must adhere to the rules set forth by the city of Waterbury,” he stated.
This developing story raises significant questions about political conduct and the intersection of law enforcement and personal conflicts in local governance. As the situation unfolds, community members and political observers alike are keenly watching for further updates.
