Norwalk election official fired amid murder charge
NORWALK — Republican Deputy Registrar Ellen Wink was fired Friday following her arrest in connection with the death of her tenant, the head of the local GOP said.
“Ellen Wink was terminated as Republican Deputy Registrar effective this past Friday,” Republican Town Committee Chair Fred Wilms said in a statement on Monday. “Elections integrity is paramount to the functioning of our democracy. As such, our elections officials must possess the highest levels of public confidence.”
The search has begun for a new deputy registrar, Wilms added.
Wink, 61, was arrested Thursday and charged with murder following the shooting of Kurt Lametta, 54, at a home on Nelson Avenue. Wink owns and acts as a landlord for the property.
“Once again our thoughts go to the entire Lametta family,” Wilms said.
Wink’s termination comes after the mayor’s office called for her to be placed on administrative leave on Thursday.
According to police reports, Wink and Lametta had a contentious relationship dating back to September 2020, when Lametta allegedly stopped paying rent. In September, Wink was arrested after she locked Lametta out of the home and threw away his personal belongings, police said.
Wink remains jailed in lieu of $1 million bond, according to the state judicial website.
Wink has served as a public official in various capacities, including deputy registrar and city clerk from 2009 to 2011.
In 2020, Wink ran for state representative for the 137th District and lost to Democratic incumbent Chris Perone. Wink also previously served on the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency.
In 2017, Wink ran for a Common Council District A seat and lost to current Democratic Town Committee Chair Eloisa Melendez and Christopher Yerinides.