BRIDGEPORT — A former CNN television producer, sentenced earlier this year to 19 and half years in prison for luring a 9-year-old girl into illegal sexual acts, has agreed Tuesday to settle a lawsuit brought on behalf of the girl.
John Griffin, a former Norwalk and Stamford resident, agreed to settle the case as it was being prepared for trial in Superior Court in Bridgeport.
“John Griffin is glad to put the federal criminal case and state court civil case behind him,” said his lawyer, Robert Berke.
Details of the settlement were not disclosed. According to court documents, Griffin had previously agreed to put aside an undisclosed sum of money in the eventuality that he lost the civil case.
“The case is resolved. Due to confidentiality I’m unable to discuss details,” said Joel Faxon, the lawyer for the now 11-year-old girl.
In June, the 46-year-old Griffin was sentenced to prison followed by an additional 15 years of supervised release in U.S. District Court in Vermont after he pleaded guilty to using interstate commerce to entice and coerce the girl to engage in sexual activity at his Vermont ski house.
According to the federal indictment, in 2019, Griffin maintained an Internet site in which he espoused a belief that woman are sexually subservient and he sought parents who would allow him to train their minor daughters to be sexually submissive.
In the summer of 2020, the indictment states, Griffin paid for a mother, who he had met online, and her 9-year-old daughter to fly to Logan Airport in Boston, where he picked them up and drove them to his house in Ludlow, Vermont.
While in Vermont, the indictment states that Griffin engaged in what he considered to be sexual training of the child. This “training” included Griffin forcing the child to perform a sex act with him and using the child to engage in bondage and sado-masochistic activity, the indictment states.
As part of his sentence, Griffin was required to forfeit the Tesla he used to transport the girl and her mother from Boston to Vermont.
“Mr. Griffin preyed on a vulnerable woman and her child, using his wealth to lure them to his home to manipulate and sexually exploit them,” said Janeen DiGuiseppi, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Albany Field Office.
At the time of his arrest Griffin was living in a waterfront mansion in Norwalk with his wife and three children. His wife has since divorced him.
Male Athletes (in order based on recent marathon performances):
1. Conner Mantz (27): Seed Time 2:07:47; 2022 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K Champion.
2. Clayton Young (30): Seed Time 2:08:00; 2023 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K Champion.
3. Galen Rupp (37): Seed Time 2:08:48; 2018 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K Champion, Silver Medalist at 2012 Olympics in the 10K, 4-time USA Olympic team member.
4. Sam Chelanga (38): Seed Time 2:08:50; 5x top 3 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race, 2nd place in 2015 and 2016 Faxon Law New Haven Road Races.
5. Scott Fauble (32): Seed Time 2:08:52.
6. Elkanah Kibet (40): Seed Time 2:09:07; 4th place at 2016 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
7. Zachary Panning (28): Seed Time 2:09:28.
8. Leonard Korir (37): Seed Time 2:09:31; 2017 and 2019 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K Champion, 2016 US Olympic Team for the 10K.
9. Futsum Zienasellassie (31): Seed Time 2:09:40; 5th place at 2023 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
10. Brian Shrader (32): Seed Time 2:09:45; 12th place at 2021 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
Female Athletes (in order based on recent marathon performances):
1. Emily Sisson (32): Seed Time 2:18:29; 2023 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K Champion, 2nd place at 2022 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
2. Kiera D’Amato (39): Seed Time 2:19:12; 2022 Champion and women’s course record holder at Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
3. Betsy Saina (35): Seed Time 2:21:40; First appearance at Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
4. Sarah Hall (40): Seed Time 2:22:10; 2018 and 2019 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K Champion.
5. Molly Siedel (29): Seed Time 2:23:07; Tokyo Olympic Marathon Bronze medalist, 9th place at Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K – Injured and not competing.
6. Sara Vaughn (37): Seed Time 2:23:24.
7. Susanna Sullivan (33): Seed Time 2:24:27; 13th place at 2023 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
8. Gabriella Rooker (36): Seed time 2:24:35.
9. Aliphine Tuliamuk (34): Seed time 2:24:37; 2016 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race 20K Champion. 2020 US Olympian.
10. Dakotah Lindwurm (28): Seed time 2:24:40; 6th place at 2023 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race.
The Faxon Law New Haven 20K is the longest running national championship in the U.S. and has hosted the 20K Championship since 1993.
About U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials:
The Olympic trials held Saturday in Orlando select top athletes who will represent their country at the Olympic Games. These trials serve as the ultimate test for athletes, demanding peak performance under intense scrutiny. Earning a spot on the Olympic team is a testament to an athlete’s dedication, resilience, and exceptional skill. The trials also provide spectators with a thrilling preview of the talent that will compete on the global stage.
About Faxon Law New Haven Road Race:
The Faxon Law New Haven Road Race is excited to celebrate its 47th anniversary this Labor Day! The event takes place Monday, September 2 on the New Haven Green. The races consist of a half marathon, relay, 5K, Kids Fun Run, and the signature 20K. The Faxon Law New Haven 20K again hosts the USATF 20K National Championship. The race expects to feature a number of past champions and U.S. Champions. This year marks the 33rd year a national championship event has been held in New Haven, making the race the longest consecutive USATF Championship race ever.
The event’s major sponsors include Faxon Law Group, Avelo Airlines, McDermott Lexus, AVANGRID, Town Fair Tire, Corsair, Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists, and the City of New Haven. To learn more about the event or to register, visit www.newhavenroadrace.org.