Former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart used her taxpayer-funded credit card to fund a series of family birthday parties, logging bounce houses, party decorations, and catered food as “office supplies,” according to the Crumbie Law Group report.
The parties included a Peppa Pig-themed extravaganza for her daughter’s second birthday, a black-and-gold 40th birthday celebration for her husband, and an Italian-themed first birthday for her son, all paid for by taxpayers, the report found.
Stewart’s own birthday dinners — $361 at an Italian restaurant in 2022 and $531 at the Capital Grille in 2023 — were also charged to taxpayers and logged as “working lunches,” according to the Crumbie report.
For years, New Britain taxpayers picked up the tab for Erin Stewart’s family birthday parties, according to the Crumbie Law Group report. The former Republican mayor logged bounce houses, party decorations and catered food as “office supplies.”
Peppa Pig, Courtesy of Taxpayers
One example involved Stewart’s daughter’s second birthday. In the weeks before the July 25, 2022 party, Stewart charged a series of Amazon purchases to her taxpayer-funded card, all logged as “Office Supplies,” according to the report, published by WTNH.
The items included a girl’s tropical print dress, Peppa Pig stickers, a bubble bottle set, an adjustable balloon column, tropical palm leaf napkins, pink plastic tablecloths and an inflatable bounce house, the report said.
Six days before the party, she used the card to order sparkling water, juice, sports drinks and chips from Costco through Instacart, the report said. Investigators identified nearly $400 in purchases tied directly to the party, according to the report. Investigators matched the purchases to photos Stewart posted on Facebook showing the party, including the Peppa Pig character, the balloon column, the tablecloths and her daughter wearing the tropical print dress, the report said.
‘Let’s Make 40 Great Again’
Earlier that same year, in late February and early March 2022, Stewart charged a series of Amazon purchases to her taxpayer-funded card in the weeks before her husband Domenico Mutone’s 40th birthday on March 18, according to the report. The items, logged as “supplies” and shipped to her home, included 40th birthday candles, black and gold birthday napkins, prank toilet paper, a balloon arch, party balloons, a vest, T-shirts, swim trunks and a fitted baseball cap for a man, according to the report. Also included: a “Let’s Make 40 Great Again” birthday card. The total identifiable cost was just over $220, the report found.
The Italian-Themed First Birthday
For her son’s first birthday in October 2024, Stewart charged Amazon purchases for Italian-themed party decorations to her taxpayer-funded card, all logged as “office supplies,” according to the report. Stewart’s Instagram posts from the party showed a cake topped with a small Italian flag and a red “one” decoration, items the report identified as matching the Amazon purchases. Stewart also charged $117.02 to her taxpayer-funded card through Instacart on the day of the party, the report said, but provided no documentation for what she bought.
The Pre-K Graduation Party
In June 2025, with her daughter finishing pre-kindergarten, Stewart used her taxpayer-funded card to buy children’s books, watercolor paint and graduation balloons on Amazon, all logged as “office supplies,” according to the report. The same day, she ordered party-quantity food from Costco through Instacart, including four pounds of buffalo wings, a rotisserie chicken, tortellini pasta salad and a vegetable tray, the report said. The Costco order came to $393.79, but after Instacart fees, the taxpayer credit card was billed $505.78, according to the report.
Her Own Birthday, Too
The Republican mayor forced New Britain taxpayers to pick up the tab for her birthday as well. On March 4, 2022, her taxpayer-funded card was charged $361.09 at Denovellis Italian restaurant, according to the Crumbie report. On March 4, 2023, it was charged $531.62 at the Capital Grille, the report said. Both were logged as “working lunches,” according to CT Insider.
