"Jury gets Hartford mayor’s case" by Stephen Singer, Associated Press | June 17, 2010
HARTFORD — A state prosecutor told a jury yesterday that Mayor Eddie Perez of Hartford abused his office for personal enrichment, while the mayor’s lawyer said prosecutors have no evidence to prove allegations he attempted extortion and accepted a bribe....
Michael A. Gailor, executive assistant state’s attorney, said in closing arguments [that] Perez accepted $40,000 in home improvements such as granite kitchen countertops, a custom-made vanity, electrical work, and a Jacuzzi without paying for the work or initially even asking for a bill.
Only when rumors circulated about the work at his house did Perez ask for a bill, which was cut in half, Gailor said. Less than two hours after he was questioned about it by authorities, Perez sought a loan to pay the bill, the prosecutor said....
Gailor said Perez lied to investigators....
He sure had the characteristics of the job down.
In return for the home improvement work, contractor Carlos Costa received help from Perez to keep a $2.4 million city construction project, Gailor said....
Defense lawyer Hubert Santos said prosecutors lack evidence to prove their case.
“Is Eddie Perez a crook, or is he an honest guy?’’ he asked. “You don’t have many crooks going to city hall every morning working, working, working.’’
Actually, when you think about it, aren't they all crooks?
Santos told the jury that Costa had no need to bribe the mayor because the two men were friends and political allies at the time....
Costa also was charged. He told authorities he did not expect to get paid for the home improvements because that was the “cost of me doing business with the city,’’ according to an arrest warrant affidavit....
Perez said before the start of the court session that he wants the trial behind him.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back to a normal life and being a good mayor,’’ he said.
What an arrogant scum.
Jurors began deliberating yesterday afternoon.
"Hartford mayor convicted, to step down; Perez found guilty in corruption case" by Everton Bailey Jr., Associated Press | June 19, 2010
HARTFORD — A one-time gang leader who escaped an impoverished childhood to become Hartford’s first Latino mayor announced yesterday that he will step down after being convicted of five corruption charges, including taking a bribe and attempted extortion.
A real success story, huh? So when is the movie?
“I have decided that it is not in the best interests of the city and my family for me to continue my duties as mayor during the appeal of my case,’’ Eddie Perez said in a written statement.
Perez, who had insisted on his innocence and vowed to clear his name, faces up to 60 years in prison, with each of the five counts carrying a minimum of one year in jail. The six-member Hartford Superior Court jury acquitted him of one count of tampering with evidence. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10....
Perez’s convictions were the latest in a series of corruption cases over the past decade involving Connecticut politicians....
Governor M. Jodi Rell, a Republican, called it “a sad and extremely difficult day for Hartford....’’
Related: Former governor Weicker blasts Rell, Conn. Legislature
*********
Perez, a native of Puerto Rico who moved to Hartford at age 12, captured the mayor’s seat with more than 70 percent of the vote in his first two elections. But he won with only 48 percent of the vote in a six-way race in 2007 after details about the investigation began to emerge.
Hartford lawyer Jim Bergenn, who was not involved in the case, said he expects Perez’s appeal will revolve around the judge’s decision to combine the separate allegations into one corruption trial. Perez wanted to take the stand and testify about the bribery charge, but not the extortion count, so combining the cases prevented the mayor from taking the stand, Bergenn said....
He was NOT PREVENTED from doing any such thing!!
He CHOSE not to testify, as is his right.
So what is WITH the LIE, Mr. Lawyer?
It was not immediately clear whether the mayor planned to resign from office or take a leave of absence. His spokeswoman, Sarah Barr, said those details were still being worked out.
And he is STILL HANGING ON, huh?
--more--"
Looks like the conviction came in the form of an aspirin:
"Convicted mayor says he will resign Friday
Took him long enough.
Perez, a former gang leader who became Hartford’s first Latino mayor, said last week he would step down after being convicted of extortion, accepting a bribe, and other counts. He announced yesterday that his resignation will take effect when he and the City Council agree on a date “to allow for a smooth transition.’’
As if he cared about you, voters.
Little late now, looter.
--more--"
More Globe migraines:
"Lawmakers look to redefine ‘veteran’
Some Connecticut lawmakers are crafting a bill to change the definition of veteran to make sure that only members of the military and National Guard benefit from a college tuition waiver program. Representative Ted Graziani said a policy at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London allows cadets enrolled for at least 90 days to be considered veterans, eligible for benefits designed to help combat veterans and National Guard members earn degrees (AP)."
"2 boys arrested for threatening classmate
Police say they arrested two Connecticut middle school students for threatening to kill a classmate after the principal found an 8-inch knife in one of their lockers. Police in Norwalk say a 12-year-old student at Nathan Hale Middle School and his 13-year-old friend are charged with threatening, carrying a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy.
But if it is 9/11, some other inside job, or some globalist policy, nope, no "conspiracy."
Authorities did not release their names because of juvenile offender laws. Police say the 12-year-old boy was apparently upset about a phone conversation he had with the intended victim last week and brought the knife to school last Wednesday. Officials say the 13-year-old boy held the knife in his locker for his friend (AP)."
He couldn't have just hung up, huh?
Maybe you ought not to be birthin' any more babies down there:
"Conn. fertility center fined for embryo error" by Associated Press | June 27, 2010
FARMINGTON, Conn. — A noted Connecticut fertility center has been reprimanded and fined by state regulators after it accidentally transferred a patient’s embryos to another woman with the same last name.... The patient who received the embryos was informed of the error within an hour of the transfer procedure and decided to take the “morning-after’’ pill to prevent the pregnancy, according to state records.
Abortion is so easy now.
Should it be?
Who benefit$ from another pill?
--more--"
Related: Man charged with raping 90-year-old Conn. woman
You need to try younger, sicko.
Also see: Around New England: Silent Gas Under the Sheets in Connecticut
Never heard back from the Globe on that last one, and does it ever stink.
