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Report: FBI investigating stadium construction of Rockies' affiliate

Ron Chenoy / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The FBI is investigating the construction of Dunkin' Donuts Park, the long-planned home for the Colorado Rockies' Double-A affiliate, the Hartford Yard Goats, in relation to numerous building delays as well as its use of public funds, sources told Jon Lender, Edmund H. Mahony, and Steven Goode of the Hartford Courant.

Hartford, Conn. mayor Luke Bronin released a statement to clarify that the city isn't under investigation. Instead, Bronin named dismissed stadium developer Centerplan Construction Company as the FBI's focus, as it reportedly owes between $8 million-$12 million to subcontractors, according to sources.

"The probe being reported today is not focused on the City of Hartford, and we believe that it was prompted by information proactively shared by the City of Hartford," Bronin said. "As you know, my administration terminated Centerplan Construction Company in June for failure to perform, but we also expressed a much broader lack of confidence in Centerplan."

Ballpark construction began in February 2015, and the Yard Goats were scheduled to move in to begin last season. In January 2016, however, a report revealed the stadium wouldn't be ready in time for opening day, despite $10 million in cost overruns.

Robert Landino, CEO and founder of the construction company, fired back at the city for initiating an investigation.

"As far as we're concerned, this is a dispute about money that will get decided in litigation, when all the facts are properly presented and a judge decides who is right and who is wrong," Landino said. "We were wrongfully terminated, and the city is in breach of contract.

"Let's stop playing petty politics. ... I am not running for re-election, and the mayor should not be either. Let's let this play out the appropriate way, in a court of law."

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