CGAIN

What is CGAIN?

The Corporate and Governmental Accountability and Intelligence Network (CGAIN) operates as an integral stand-alone and support unit within the Torrington-based law practice of Attorney Rachel M. Baird. The goal of the unit is to hold corporations and  government agencies accountable when their failure to follow the law negatively impacts individual rights. The last resort of CGAIN is formal litigation in state and federal courts.

History of CGAIN

Since opening her law practice in 2001, Attorney Baird has addressed corporate and governmental accountability issues as they have come to her attention in the course of representing clients. CGAIN's sole source of outside compensation is by award of fees through settlement or judgment in formal litigation.  CGAIN has worked closely with individuals who support its mission. In referring to the work of Attorney Baird, the intention is to include the collective work of those who have contributed to CGAIN including long-time freedom of information and government accountability advocate Edward A. Peruta.  CGAIN is pending incorporation and is not a non-profit organization.

Cases

The focus of CGAIN this summer will be on five matters, including:

1.      An action against the one-hundred-sixty-nine Connecticut municipalities and the Connecticut state police challenging an unauthorized fee of $50.00 charged to applicants for temporary state permits to carry pistols and revolvers. A Notice and Demand to Cease and Desist was served on every temporary state permit local issuing authority in April 2012 and Attorney Baird expects to file an action  in federal court during the Summer 2012.  The Connecticut state police responded by letter dated May 8, 2012, to each of the municipalities.

2.     A First Amendment case arising in the County of San Diego involving the right to record police officer activity in gathering news brought on behalf of California resident JC Playford and American News and Information Services, a Connecticut corporation.

3.     A nation-wide class action against Sunoco for charging improper fees for gas to business card holders.

4.     An action against the Police Officer Standards and Training Council for failure to adequately train Connecticut law enforcement officers in firearms laws to the detriment of Connecticut state permit holders. 

5.     Federal civil rights actions filed on behalf of former inmates of the state Department of Correction alleging sexual assaults and other behaviors that victimized residents of a half-way house located in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and operated by state contractor Community Solutions, Inc.