Waterbury Ex-Water Chief Charged with Forgery, Lied on Degrees

WATERBURY, Conn. — Bradley Malay, the now-former superintendent of Waterbury's Department of Public Works Water Division, has been hit with felony forgery charges in an ongoing corruption investigation. Authorities allege Malay falsified documents tied to water department contracts, sparking outrage in the Brass City where reliable public utilities are vital. The charges stem from a probe initially reported by NBC Connecticut, highlighting potential misuse of public funds in contract awards.

Malay's troubles compound with admissions that he misrepresented his qualifications, claiming multiple college degrees and professional certificates he never earned. These fabrications, uncovered during the investigation, cast doubt on his decade-long tenure overseeing Waterbury's water infrastructure, which serves over 110,000 residents across the city's 33 square miles. Local officials have not disclosed the exact value of implicated contracts, but sources indicate they involved key vendors for maintenance and upgrades.

The case unfolds against Waterbury's history of public corruption scandals, including past convictions of city officials for bid-rigging and bribery. Mayor Paul Pernaselli's administration swiftly terminated Malay following the probe's emergence, vowing full cooperation with state authorities. As of May 2026, Malay's court date is pending in Waterbury Superior Court, with prosecutors eyeing additional charges based on forensic audits of department records.

Waterbury taxpayers, already grappling with rising utility rates amid infrastructure strains from aging lead pipes, demand transparency. The scandal prompts calls for independent oversight of the water division, echoing statewide pushes in Connecticut for stricter ethics reforms post similar municipal probes in Bridgeport and New Haven.