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Note this article has been updated to reflect statements issued by CT GOP Chair Ben Proto and Republican gubernatorial candidates Ryan Fazio and Betsy McCaughey.

Erin Stewart just suspended her campaign for governor.

“The continued allegations from New Britain City Hall have understandably taken over this race and diverted attention away from the critical mission of saving our state from high taxes, high costs, the most expensive energy in America, and low opportunity for young people,” Erin Stewart said in statement. “I take the allegations that have been made against me very seriously.”

“It is my intention not only to suspend my campaign but also to step back from public life as I do what is necessary to address these questions and make things right. I cannot change the past, but I can make the next right decision — and this is it,” Stewart said.

Stewart is now facing a police investigation over reported city credit card spending abuse during her time in office. Expense reports obtained by News 8 showed more than $200,000 in city credit card charges, including nearly $47,000 at Amazon, $19,400 at The Hartford Club, $19,200 at Costco, and other purchases that appear personal in nature.

The 74-page report issued by Crumbie Law Group details the alleged "callousness exhibited by Ms. Stewart's routine use of her city-issued credit card to purchase personal items."

It certainly doesn't look good.

The timing of the purchases of personal items (e.g., “Peppa Pig” party favors, a "Girl's" tripical print sleeveless A-line dress, a column of balloons, a children’s floral dress, palm tree napkins, a bouncy house, tablecloths and even food) matched up perfectly with Stewart's daughter's birthday party.

The report points to similar patterns with Stewart's spending on her husband's 40th birthday party, her daughter's pre-kindergarten graduation, maternity and other early childhood items, clothing, jewelry and audio visual equipment, household grocery items, and trips to the City on her P-Card.

The report includes a detailed timeline of purchases and corresponding life events.

It also meticulously shows personal item purchases, like clothing, made by Stewart followed by photos of Stewart using the items herself. These apparently weren't donations to the homeless as some of Stewart's supporters would have you believe.

The report concluded that "the great majority of the expenditures made with Ms. Stewart's P-Card were wholly unrelated to her official municipal business and instead appear to have benefited and enriched Ms. Stewart and her family."

You can read Stewart's full statement here:

CT GOP Chair Ben Proto issued a statement, applauding Stewart's decision to exit the race, and thanking her for her service as Mayor of New Britain.

Ryan Fazio said, in a statement, "it's time to unite our party and build a coalition to create positive change for our state."

Betsy McCaughey said that Stewart "did the right thing" in suspending her campaign and that it "shows she understands that trust in government must remain paramount."

Meanwhile, the City of New Britain will be "the City will be pursuing all appropriate legal avenues to recover taxpayer funds wherever possible, including seeking restitution from the former mayor for any improper or unauthorized expenditures identified."

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