Connecticut DMV - The Commonwealth Group Ripoff scam, this is on a medical review on a dui, madatory, only 2 groups are allowed by dmv. this company is stock held by 3 legislators Manchester connecticut

They are a rip off, because they don't do what they claim. I went  through the program and still have not had my lisence reinstated. They claim that the program is to help you, but in my case they are ruining my life.

I had 3 DUIs over a 30 year period. The court sentenced me to 120 days in prison (it is NOT jail!), 18 months probation, and 200 hrs of community service which I completed to the satisfaction of the state.

DMV suspended my lisence for 1 year and required me to attend an alcohol "education" program. It took months to find a program that DMV accepted due to the fact that no information on "qualified" programs was provided by DMV to offenders at that time.

The Commonwealth program ($900) consists of: Phase1: a 48 hr. "retreat" for evaluation. Phase2: 6 months of support meetings once a month while attending 2 AA meetings a week during this time. Phase3: 12 months of support meetings, 1-every 3 months. If they decide it is nessesary, a 3rd party elaluation. ($250)

I completed all of these requirements as well. Then ran into a brick wall, The 3rd party (which also took months to find a qualified one, because Commonwealth wouldn't give me a referal), took their sweet time getting the evaluation to Commonwealth, and never contacted me. I sent a certified letter to Paul Waters (director) of Commonwealth Feb 21st 2010, asking him where I stand. It is now Sept 7th... no response as yet.

Commonwealth claims: " We treat our clients in a respectful, non-punitive manner, and our treatment approach is different from the standard therapy." I found the counselors to be condensending, rude and in 1 case racist. They also claim: " They provide education through presentations on how alcohol/drug abuse affects the body, impairs judgment and decision-making skills, and leads to legal and social consequences". That was 1 meeting of the "education" and 1 meeting for a presentation which consited of an outdated movie to scare you about going to a jail that looked more like summer camp and does not even exist anymore. They also claim "We are not here to make you quit drinking, just to make you stop drinking and driving". If you don't tell them you are sobver now... you will have to have a 3rd party evaluation.

They told us if we missed any meetings we would have to start over again, yet when there was a snow day we got credit for it with no reschedule, and when I was in my 3rd Phase3 meeting, we were told we were exempt from the last meeting because of overcrowding. They are not even following teir own rules... I wonder if DMV knows this?

The bottom line is that they don't care about you, they make their own rules, and they are just spreading the wealth to their friends, ie; 3rd party evaluations. It makes me sick. I have been without a lisence for 3 years (1 year suspension), and have lost thousands of dollars because I need a vehicle for my line of work and there is no decent public transportation in my area to get me to contracts that are offered to me.

I called the Attorney General's office, and quess what? They represent the DMV which I thought was a privately owned entity. Richard has claimed that some legislators are share holders, I don't know for sure (post some names Richard), isn't that a conflict of interest? Or is it buissiness as usual?

It's time for an investigation to open this can of worms.

P.S. DMV ANSWER YOR PHONE!!!