WATERBURY, CT — The former superintendent of the Waterbury Water Department was taken into custody Thursday night, facing serious felony charges just one week after resigning amid a whirlwind of misconduct allegations.
Bradley Malay, 50, of Killingworth, has been charged with two counts of second-degree forgery. While the investigation into Malay began following a tragic neighborhood fire, police say the charges stem from a deep-rooted pattern of deception used to secure his high-ranking positions within the city.
The Investigation Trigger: A Neighborhood Fire
The scrutiny on Malay began on April 6, following a fire that leveled a home on Bennett Avenue. When Waterbury fire crews arrived to battle the blaze, they were met with a terrifying obstacle: the two closest fire hydrants were dry.
Firefighters were forced to scramble, eventually pulling water from a hydrant on Fairfield Avenue, roughly a quarter-mile away. The delay in getting water to the scene was critical, leading the city to launch an immediate investigation into why the infrastructure failed.
While Waterbury Police noted in a press release that Malay’s alleged misconduct is “not directly related” to the specific hydrant flow issues on Bennett Avenue, the fallout from that fire is what ultimately exposed his falsified credentials.
A Career Built on Fabrications
Following Malay’s voluntary resignation last week, detectives uncovered evidence that he had been “untruthful” during the hiring process for two major city roles.
According to investigators, Malay intentionally fabricated and embellished his past professional experience to meet the strict requirements of the Waterbury Water Department. Police stated that:
- In July 2023, he was hired as the Assistant Water Superintendent based on these misrepresentations.
- In July 2025, he was promoted to Water Superintendent.
Police are adamant that had Malay been honest about his background, he would never have been hired for either position. The discovery has raised significant questions about the city’s vetting process for high-level officials overseeing critical public infrastructure.
What Happens Next?
Malay was processed Thursday night and released after posting a $10,000 court-set bond. He is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on May 12.
While the city continues to investigate the mechanical failure of the hydrants on Bennett Avenue, the arrest of the former water boss has left taxpayers demanding answers regarding how a man with “fabricated” experience was allowed to manage the city’s water supply for nearly three years.
