The claims, in a federal suit filed in Boston, resemble a US criminal indictment against Tomasso and high-ranking state officials. 

It alleged kickbacks were paid by Tomasso and his companies to Rowland's co-chief of staff, Peter Ellef, and to Arthur H. Diedrick, executive director of two quasi-public development agencies. 

Rowland resigned in July. 

Acumentrics contends the administration offered it $10 million in loans and grants to move to Connecticut but reneged when Acumentrics refused to lease a plant from a Tomasso firm. 

Acumentrics claims the aborted deal crippled it financially. 

The Connecticut Development Authority, which was named in the suit, said Acumentrics is "spinning baseless theories." 

Tomasso attorney Jack Fornaciari said the lawsuit was a "desperate effort not to pay back money."