Correction: the language used in an earlier version of this article mischaracterized the next steps in this legal case.

By Gretchen Webster

BRIDGEPORT–The next court appearance date for Daniel Souzzi, a founding partner of Roan Ventures, the developers of the proposed Hamlet project in Saugatuck, has been set for Feb. 19. The date was set in a court appearance Wednesday morning in Bridgeport Superior Court.

“There has been no official plea yet,” of guilty or not guilty, Court Clerk Daniel Wivell told the Westport Journal on Wednesday afternoon, after the court appearance.

Souzzi, 43, a resident of Fairfield, was arrested by Fairfield Police Nov. 20 on a warrant after a month-long investigation into a reported sexual assault of a woman Souzzi knew, according to a Fairfield Police report. He was released on a $50,000 bond, the report said.

Records from the state of Connecticut Judicial Branch show that a judge issued a protective order of non-family violence against Suozzi on Nov. 25 when Souzzi was arraigned, requiring him to stay away from the woman who had made the report to the police. The charge is for violation of statute 53a-70(a)(1) for “Sex 1- Use or Threat of Force” according to the state records. 

Suozzi’s attorney Mark Sherman, who has offices in Stamford, said that Suozzi’s presence in Bridgeport court on Wednesday was “just a standard appearance to check in and get a date” for the next steps. 

Sherman told the Westport Journal after the arraignment in November, that “we vigorously maintain that these accusations are baseless and baffling given the timeline of events and circumstances.” The incident “was fully consensual,” Sherman said although Souzzi “deeply regrets engaging in an extramarital encounter,” his attorney said.

Souzzi, whose name has been removed from the Roan Development Ventures website, attended and spoke at many of the meetings held by Westport boards and commissions on the Hamlet proposal. The multi-use development of 11 buildings, including retail, hotel and residential buildings in Saugatuck was rejected by the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 28 resulting in a pending lawsuit brought by Roan against the town.