The Waterbury Times|Breaking News|Published May 1, 2026 5:33pm

WATERBURY, CT — City officials addressed mounting questions Friday afternoon following the arrest of former Water Superintendent Bradley Malay, who is now facing a felony charge related to allegedly falsifying information on his employment application.

During a press availability held inside the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Paul Pernerewski, Police Chief  Spagnolo, and a city Human Resources representative responded to a wide range of questions surrounding the case, including how the issue went undetected and the nature of the charge.

Authorities confirmed that Malay is charged with lying on his job application, which rises to the level of a felony due to the significance of the position and the level of public trust required.

“This is not a violent offense,” Chief Spagnolo said, “but it is a serious violation of public trust.”

When asked about his personal relationship with Malay, Mayor Pernerewski described him as “a good guy,” acknowledging that Malay had two prior work-related infractions but was otherwise viewed positively. The Mayor also stated he was surprised to learn that Malay allegedly did not meet the qualifications required for the role.

Police detailed the circumstances of the arrest, confirming that Malay was taken into custody at his residence in front of family members after failing to respond to police outreach for approximately one week.

Malay has reportedly claimed the arrest was unnecessary. However, Chief Spagnolo defended the department’s actions, stating that officers executed an arrest warrant after repeated attempts to make contact went unanswered.

The situation has also sparked political tension at City Hall. Republican members of the Board of Aldermen expressed frustration over a private executive session held Thursday night, with some members walking out and later claiming they were excluded from a media briefing.

Mayor Pernerewski responded by acknowledging concerns over the timing and closed-door nature of the meeting but stated that such measures are sometimes necessary during active investigations.

This remains a developing story with multiple aspects still unfolding.

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Stay with The Waterbury Times for continued updates on this developing story as more details become available.

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