By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Investigations Editor

HARTFORD >> The family of missing Waterbury man William “Billy” Smolinski Jr. is appealing to the state Supreme Court, in the hope of overturning a civil ruling which ordered them to pay a $52,666 judgment to Smolinski’s former girlfriend.
In March, the state Appellate Court upheld the ruling of Superior Court Judge Thomas Corradino, who awarded the amount to Madeleine Gleason of Woodbridge, for intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation and punitive damages.
Gleason, who dated Smolinski until they broke up just prior to his 2004 disappearance, sued his mother, Janice Smolinski of Cheshire, and his sister, Paula Bell, in 2006, claiming they harassed, defamed and falsely accused her of involvement in his disappearance.
Janice Smolinski said Thursday the family plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

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