A sharply-worded ethics complaint has been filed against a major law firm that stenciled safety warnings on sidewalks and other public spaces without permission.
The complaint by the city of Hartford was filed to the Statewide Grievance Committee, which reviews, investigates and adjudicates such complaints against attorneys, alleges improper advertising, claiming that Trantolo & Trantolo engaged in a "guerilla marketing campaign" on land owned by the state and city.
The complaint implies the firm's actions could have created injuries through distraction by the ad's placement in public spaces.
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam was outraged by the messages when he learned of them this week, saying it would have been called vandalism or graffiti had a young person done it. He said it was disrespectful to the city and its residents. The city issued a $90 citation to the firm.
The complaint, filed by corporation counsel Jonathan E. Harding, says about 28 impressions of "stenciled spraypainted graffiti " (the firm says it's washable chalk) particularly clustered around entrances to buildings, crosswalks, were "designed to distract residents" and "can be expected to lead to tripping accidents, falling down stairs, and vehicle on pedestrian accidents as pedestrian attention is diverted."
Those are just the kind of accidents the firm claimed earlier it was trying to avoid with the outdoor campaign.
"At Trantolo & Trantolo, our goal was, and remains, to draw attention to the very real safety challenges facing pedestrians, motorcyclists, drivers and families throughout our community," CEO Scott Trantolo said earlier this week.
Despite the outcry, Trantolo & Trantolo doubled down the value of it's safety campaign through a long statement released Friday.
"Trantolo & Trantolo is standing behind its recent safety awareness campaign in Hartford, saying the temporary sidewalk messages were intended to draw attention to a serious and well-documented public safety issue facing pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and families throughout the city," the statement says.
"Trantolo & Trantolo also rejects the characterization of the temporary chalk messaging as vandalism. The campaign did not use permanent paint or materials intended to damage public property. The messages were created using temporary chalk and power-washing techniques, with a cleanup plan in place from the outset. After concerns were raised, the firm accelerated the planned clean-up and the messages have been removed."
"Calling these temporary safety messages vandalism misses the entire purpose and nature of what was done," CEO Scott Trantolo said in the statement.
It appears the firm appreciates all the publicity that has ensued.
"The firm says it hopes the controversy surrounding the campaign ultimately leads to a broader discussion about traffic safety and what more can be done to protect Connecticut residents. They have offered to work with local officials to promote safety initiatives," the statement said.
The complaint by the city alleges "the intent was to cause damage," the complaint to the grievance committee states. The amount of damage exceeded $1,500 the complaint states.
The city "finds it very disrespectful" to the city and the citizens whose tax dollars would be "wasted" cleaning off the graffiti while the firm seeks to profit from constituents, the complaint claims.