With a federal investigation swirling around the founders of pro soccer team Hartford City FC, the Major Arena Soccer League said late Wednesday that it has removed the team from its schedule.
The MASL issued a brief written statement, which doesn’t refer to the investigation: “It was determined that the expansion organization in Hartford, Connecticut cannot move forward. The league has finalized terms of separation with Hartford City FC.”
Those terms were not disclosed.
Michael Freimuth, executive director of XL Center operator Capital Region Development Authority, said the venue sold approximately $15,000 worth of tickets, which will be refunded. Information is available on the XL Center website.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is probing missing city-allocated funds related to the Dillon Stadium project, whose developers were also owners of Hartford City FC.
Until early this month, the city had been ready to commit $12 million to the redevelopment of the stadium. But news of developer James Duckett’s previous felony embezzlement conviction spurred the council to refuse to sign a long-term lease for the stadium.
The matter led Development Director Thomas Deller to resign.
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