It would be charitable to call Tony Sheridan’s letter praising the work of the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative self-serving. Sheridan, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, has been a ready friend whenever CMEEC requires him to genuflect.

His praise of this outlaw group is typical of the arrogance and entitlement that infects those who continue to defend CMEEC and its troubled history.

But Sheridan must pay his dues since CMEEC has showered ratepayer money on many events sponsored by the chamber. Sheridan could count on CMEEC to spring for just about any event, even though its practices have ripped off electric consumers.

CMEEC’s management is a cesspool of insider deals, outright deceit and criminal activity, leading to federal indictments of key personnel and board members.

Skimming millions of ratepayer funds to pay for lavish trips across the country or buying other good will is the CMEEC legacy. Sheridan knows that. Yet, he can’t help but defend its managers and leaders. What’s more shameful is Sheridan’s claim that CMEEC’s generosity helped children even though CMEEC clearly has overcharged working families for electricity or failed to provide required rebates.

But that is of little consequence to Sheridan if the CMEEC membership dues and the occasional check for a breakfast or cocktail party keep arriving.

Scott Aument

Groton