By Justin Muszynski
iser Annex at Central Connecticut State University are facing felony charges for their alleged roles in the incident.
Kyle Firlik, 18, Michael Lambton, 19, and David LeClerc, 19, have been charged with criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief because of an event last November that saw the Kaiser “Bubble” slashed in several spots, leaving lacerations up to 10 feet in length in some places.
In the early morning hours of Nov. 1, CCSU officials found the damage after the facilities department noticed that there was low pressure in the annex, according to the arrest warrant. The police were able to identify the three suspects using video surveillance footage.
After being taken in for questioning, LeClerc and Firlik admitted to damaging the bubble, whereas Lambton maintained that he only went along and never engaged in the vandalism, according to the warrant. It also says in the warrant that Firlik and Lambton told police that they were under the influence of alcohol while LeClerc admitted to smoking marijuana the night of the incident. The accused allegedly used a box cutter, scissors and an exacto knife to slash the tarp-like material that the bubble consists of, according to the warrant.
At the time of the vandalism, Lambton and LeClerc were attending the university, but Firlik was just visiting. Mark McLaughlin, CCSU spokesperson, said that he could not comment on LeClerc’s and Lambton’s current enrollment status at CCSU due to FERPA laws.
The annex has since been fixed with the restorations estimated to cost over $57,000.
“Insurance would not cover it so the school had to put up the initial money for the repairs to get it back up and running,” said Richard Bachoo, chief administrative officer at CCSU. “The goal would be to get [the accused] to reimburse us through the courts.”
The Kaiser Annex, commonly referred to as “the bubble,” is used for recreational activities and as a practice facility for school sponsored sports.
Lambton, Firlik and LeClerc could not be reached for comment. The police have restricted Firlik from coming on campus from November of 2011 until November 2014.
All three accused were arrested in December. Their bond was posted at $10,000. Firlik and LeClerc used a bondsman while Lambton was bailed out in cash, according to court documents. LeClerc and Lambton were scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court Monday and Tuesday respectively. Firlik is slated to attend court March 8.
