Hartford Mayor Says the Right Things Upon News of His Arrest
<b>See updates below</b><br>
<br>
It's refreshing to feel good after reading a mayor's statement in
response to <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/11450080/Warrant">a warrant for his arrest</a>. According to <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-perez0127.artjan27,0,4916395.story…; target="”_blank”">an
article in today's Hartford </a><span><a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-perez0127.artjan27,0,4916395.story…; target="”_blank”">Courant</a>,</span>
Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez was arrested this morning on state charges
of bribery, fabricating evidence, and conspiracy to fabricate evidence.
He hired a city contractor to redo his kitchen and bathroom and, although he paid
the contractor $20,000, the state is alleging that documents were
fabricated and that the transaction was actually a bribe.<br>
<br>
What's refreshing about <a href="http://www.courant.com/community/news/hfd/hc-webstatement0127jan27,0,38…; target="”_blank”">the
mayor's statement</a> is that he doesn't just deny it all, and doesn't
accuse anyone of a conspiracy against him (or worse). He says straight
out that what he did was wrong, only insisting that it wasn't a crime.<br>
<br>
<div> I wish to apologize to the people of
Hartford. My lapse in judgment in using a city contractor to perform
work on my house was inexcusable. Though I firmly believe that I have
not committed a crime, I have allowed the appearance of impropriety to
color how those may view my administration. For this, I am truly sorry
and take full responsibility.<br>
</div>
<br>
He goes on to say more right things:<br>
<ul>
Even though Mr. Costa was paid for the
work he completed at my house, it was a mistake on my part to retain a
city contractor to perform work at my house. Further, I should have
ensured the proper permits were obtained. The perception in today's
environment has the potential to undermine public confidence in
government.
</ul>
In other words, it may or may not have been criminal, but there was
clearly a conflict of interest and an appearance of impropriety. But it
was dealt with, once again, in a criminal way. Fortunately, unlike so
many local government officials, Mayor Perez is asking for a speedy
trial so that the allegations do not remain a cloud over his city.<br>
<br>
But speedy is not how this problem was handled. News of the renovations
came out in August 2007, shortly after the mayor paid for them. At that
time, ethics proceedings should have begun, and a mayor who realized
what he had done was wrong should have quickly settled for a fine and
admission. But a year and a half later, we finally get an admission as
criminal proceedings begin. This doesn't seem like the way it should go.<br>
<br>
<b>Update:</b> January 29, 2009. I was asked by the Hartford <i>Courant</i> to write an op-ed piece on this topic (attached; see below).</a><br>
<br>
<b>Update:</b> June 19, 2010. According to <a href="http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/eddie-perez/hc-hartford-mayor…; target="”_blank”">an article in the Hartford <i>Courant</i></a>, the mayor was convicted yesterday on five counts of bribery, first-degree larceny by extortion, and conspiracy to fabricate evidence. He still insists on his innocence and is threatening to appeal, but he is expected to resign.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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