Clarification Regarding Appeal of Former Mayor Eddie Perez

I reported earlier this month that former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez had been scheduled for a January appeal of his two corruption convictions.

According to the state judicial branch, although Perez’s case was subject to assignment in the January term of the appellate court, it did not end up getting assigned.

Convicted Former Hartford Mayor Perez Gets January Appeal

Perez on election night in 2007 (WNPR File Photo)

More than two years after he resigned his office, former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez is about to have his second day in court.  As WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports, Perez is appealing his corruption convictions and that appeal has been scheduled for January.

Here’s the story.

Perez Resigns Effective 5 p.m.

Here’s the email from Sarah Barr:

At 3:07 p.m., a letter was submitted to the Town and City Clerk stating that Eddie A. Perez is resigning today as Mayor of the City of Hartford.  The resignation is effective today, June 25, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

And here’s the Courant’s story. (And, for the record…although posted a bit late…Mayor Pedro Segarra’s statement is below.)

Perez Prepares To Resign, Staffers Prepare His Belongings

The Mayor's Car (Jeff Cohen/WNPR)

It was an odd time when I stopped in at city hall this morning, as media types like me camped out and waited for the resignation letter of Mayor Eddie A. Perez.  We’re told it’s coming this afternoon.  The lack of clarity has made everyone a little jumpy.

Meanwhile, the literal transition from one mayor to another has begun.  City staffers got a call this morning to start carting out stuff from the mayor’s office — plaques, picture frames, framed newspaper articles, and even a silver shovel.  They brought them to his city-issued car out back.

Sources: Perez To Resign Next Week

Mayor Eddie A. Perez (John Dankosky/WNPR)

Mayor Eddie Perez has agreed to resign his office sometime next week, sources told WNPR.

Perez said on Tuesday that he would relinquish his duties as mayor, and that he would do so on a date to be agreed upon with his successor – Council President Pedro Segarra.  Later that day, Segarra held a press conference and said that the mayor would formally announce his resignation date on Friday.

Now, three sources familiar with the situation say that Perez has agreed to resign sometime next week.

A jury found Perez guilty of five corruption-related charges on June 18.

Cotto Wants To Prohibit Contributions From City Contractors

Luis Cotto (Photo: Chion Wolf/WNPR)

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: You can listen to our story on this tonight during All Things Considered.  You can also listen to it (and read it) online now.

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Councilman Luis Cotto, of the Working Families Party, wants the city to ban campaign contributions from city contractors for certain city political offices.

Below is a summary of the resolution that will be before the council on Monday.  As always, thanks to the nice people at Hartford 2000 for sending out the council preview: Council Preview By Hartford 2000.

Any thoughts?  Luis — why don’t you post a comment giving a little history and background?

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Council Agenda Silent On Perez

There was some discussion that someone on the city council would introduce a resolution regarding the tenure of Mayor Eddie A. Perez at city hall.

Just spoke with the clerk’s office.  Today at noon was the deadline to submit resolutions for Monday’s meeting, and the clerk’s office says no resolutions pertaining to Perez were submitted.  Now you know. (There could always be a “walk-in” addition to the agenda…)

Perez’s Exit Benefits

There’s been a good deal of talk about what Mayor Eddie A. Perez will get in terms of benefits when he — eventually — leaves city service.

Curious about his health benefits, pay, and vacation and sick time payout, we asked the city for the related paperwork.  No dice.  The response is below.

Jeff, since the Mayor has not officially resigned we don’t have any of the records you are requesting.

Once the appropriate records you are entitled to are available, you will be contacted. We intend to respond to your request as soon as possible.

Judge Grants Perez Co-Defendant Special Form of Probation

Judge Julia Dewey granted special probation to Edward Lazu, a former city employee who the state arrested on charges relating to home driveway work done by Carlos Costa — the same contractor whose home improvement work led to guilty verdicts for Mayor Eddie A. Perez.

His probation did not include a legal admission of guilt, but it did include an admission that he had made ethical mistakes.  His probation will last six months.

I’ll be filing a story detailing the events later today.

UPDATE: Here’s a link to our story that will be on the air this afternoon.

Perez Co-Defendants Due In Court

Just because the Perez trial is over (and there will still likely be an appeal), that doesn’t mean the affair is over.

Veronica Airey-Wilson (Photo: State of Connecticut)

Republican city Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson, former Democratic state Rep.

Abraham Giles (Photo: State of Connecticut)

Abraham Giles, and former city employee Edward Lazu are all due back in court this morning.  It may just be a series of procedural hearings, but it’s worth noting that both Giles and Lazu have applied for a special form of probation called accelerated rehabilitation.  Hearings are on this program have yet to take place.

If the program is granted in either case, it would not include an admission of guilt.