Konstantinos "Kosta" Diamantis, a former senior budget official for Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and former Democratic state representative, fled the United States before his Thursday sentencing for a corruption conviction. Prosecutors said he traveled by boat from Florida to the Bahamas, then flew to London and obtained a Greek passport after surrendering his U.S. passport. His lawyer said Diamantis was in Greece and would not attend the hearing. A judge rescheduled sentencing for Sept. 30, while prosecutors said the court would determine what happens next. A federal jury found Diamantis guilty in October 2025 on 21 counts of bribery and extortion involving thousands of dollars in payments from contractors between 2018 and 2021, in exchange for helping them retain and secure multimillion-dollar school construction contracts. Prosecutors sought 10 to 12 years in prison, while his lawyer requested no prison term and strict release conditions. Greek courts have upheld the claim that extradition of Greek nationals is forbidden, leaving his return prospects unclear. Diamantis denies wrongdoing and has accused Lamont of politically weaponizing the justice system. He also faces a separate federal case alleging that he accepted bribes to suppress a state audit of an eye doctor accused of Medicaid fraud.