DERBY, Connecticut — A Connecticut alderman and mayoral candidate is urgent forward along with his marketing campaign after being charged this week by federal prosecutors with illegally getting into the U.S. Capitol throughout the riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

Gino DiGiovanni Jr. was arraigned Tuesday on 4 federal misdemeanor prices, together with getting into and remaining in a restricted constructing or grounds. He was not an alderman for the town of Derby on the time.

“I think the evidence that will be presented will show that I am innocent,” DiGiovanni, 42, informed reporters exterior U.S. District Court in New Haven. Hours in a while his Facebook web page, the candidate posted photographs of him campaigning door to door. He wrote, “After a long day I’m still here for Derby. I will continue to put my heart and soul into this city.”

DiGiovanni, a first-term alderman, is difficult three-term Mayor and fellow Republican Richard Dziekan. DiGiovanni was just lately endorsed by the native Republican city committee. Dziekan didn't search its backing.

The pair will face off in a Sept. 12 major.

“When an individual is observed potentially breaking the law, they can expect to be called upon to account for their actions,” Dziekan mentioned in an announcement.

“Civilian online investigators” initially recognized DiGiovanni getting into the Capitol, in response to an announcement from federal prosecutors. The sleuths offered their analysis to NBC Connecticut, WVIT-TV, which later introduced it to DiGiovanni on the conclusion of a public assembly.

DiGiovanni acknowledged he attended the rally for former President Donald Trump that day and was within the pictures taken contained in the Capitol.

“I was there, I went inside there, and, you know, I didn’t damage or break anything. Obviously you got the pictures to prove it,” he informed the reporter.

Connecticut was one among a number of states the place laws was proposed this yr prohibiting folks convicted of taking part in an rebellion or rise up towards the U.S. from holding public workplace. Connecticut’s invoice, which didn't move, would have prohibited these convicted of extra severe crimes, together with sedition, rise up, rebellion or a felony associated to a type of acts, from working for or holding public workplace.

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