Name That Party! Former Gangbanger Mayor of Hartford Convicted on Corruption Charges

Of course he's a Democrat, although this AP dispatch doesn't find it relevant, I guess.

Eddie Perez, a one-time gang leader who escaped an impoverished childhood to become Hartford's first Latino mayor, was convicted Friday of five corruption charges, including taking a bribe and attempted extortion.

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-person Hartford Superior Court jury acquitted him of one count of tampering with evidence. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10.

The jury delivered the verdicts after the six-week trial and deliberated Wednesday afternoon, all of Thursday and Friday morning.

Perez was convicted of receiving a bribe, attempted first-degree larceny by extortion, accessory to evidence tampering and two conspiracy counts — all felonies.

Perez's wife, Maria, collapsed and cried after the verdicts were announced, while Perez looked at his lawyer with no visible emotion.

"I'm extremely disappointed," Perez said as he walked away from the courthouse. "I'm maintaining my innocence and I plan to appeal."

The trial focused on allegations that Perez accepted home improvements from a city contractor in return for keeping him on a lucrative $2.4 million construction project, and tried to extort a developer into paying $100,000 to a political ally.

Chris Dodd, Meet Eddie Perez

The Democrat Senator from Connecticut, Christopher Dodd, may well have some re-election problems on his hands according to the Swing State Project.

Chris Dodd's favorability ratings in his home state have suffered ever since his very unsuccessful presidential run, an undertaking he was never quite able to explain to his constituents - or Iowa caucus-goers, for that matter. Allegations that he got favorable "VIP" loan terms from lender Countrywide haven't helped. What makes this a Race to Watch is the fact that three reasonably strong Republicans could all potentially give it a gander: Gov. Jodi Rell and former Congressmen Rob Simmons and Chris Shays. But Dodd is a powerful fundraiser in a blue state, and no one has stepped up to the plate yet. (D)

Via Instapundit.

Now what makes this of further interest is the fact Connecticut has a recent history of nailing politicians (of both parties, we might note) for corruption. First there was Republican Governor John Rowland and more recently, the indicted Mayor of Hartford and renowned community organizer Eddie Perez.

The New York Post today draws an interesting contrast between Perez and Dodd.

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez was arrested Tuesday on bribery and corruption charges after allegedly receiving free work on his home from a city contractor. The scandal is remarkably similar to the one that sent former Gov. John Rowland to the big house back in 2005.

We just hope the arrest gets Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) looking over his shoulder. After all, it's not immediately clear why Perez should be in handcuffs - while Dodd retains his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Banking Committee.

Back in 2003, Dodd secured two "VIP" mortgages from Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo that reportedly saved him a cool $75,000. This, while he was supposed to be overseeing the Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-backed subprime loans on which Countrywide made a killing.

We know how that turned out.

Perez, meanwhile, is accused of accepting home renovations worth little more than half Dodd's take from Countrywide.

To be sure, the comparison may be somewhat unfair to Dodd: Unlike Perez, he's been accused of no direct quid pro quo for his preferential treatment.

Then again, he likely didn't get the sweet deals for no reason, either. And he's months overdue in making good on his promise to release documents on the deal.

It's also worth noting the Democrats in the Senate won't make any move to oust Dodd and it's unlikely the Obama Justice Department will go anywhere near corrupt Democrats. There's only so much change they're interested in.

Thanks to Instapundit for the link.

Name That Party, Hartford Edition: Former Community Organizer Turned Mayor To Be Arraigned Today

Well, the party affiliation is a dead giveaway since they note he's a former community organizer, and while they do note the word Democrat in a photo caption, it's nowhere to be found in the lengthy story.

Mayor Eddie A. Perez will be arrested on bribery charges at a state police barracks this morning, the result of a 15-month grand jury investigation into possible corruption at Hartford City Hall.

Perez and his attorney, Hubert J. Santos, said Monday that they believe the charges are related to $20,000 in kitchen and bathroom renovations done on the Hartford mayor's home by contractor Carlos Costa.

Costa, who has done millions in work for the city, was arrested by state police Monday, said his lawyer, William Gerace. He was charged with two counts of bribery, and one count each of fabricating evidence and the conspiracy to fabricate evidence, Gerace said.

Perez was to be charged with bribery, fabricating evidence, and conspiring to fabricate evidence, Santos said.

In an interview Monday at Santos' office, a subdued Perez apologized to the voters who elected him in 2001 and twice re-elected him under a strong-mayor charter that he championed.

Perez, 51, a former community organizer who is the city's first Latino mayor, called hiring Costa a "lapse in judgment," reiterating comments he made more than a year ago about the episode.

"There is no excuse for it. I apologize for putting my family and my city under this situation," Perez said. But he added, "At the end of the day, a lapse in judgment is not a crime."

A lapse in judgment?

Hmm. That sounds familiar.

Politics, of course, involves compromise—and by sticking with Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary, Obama has signaled his willingness to overlook an earlier lapse in judgment by his nominee in order to get the most competent person for the job.

Anyway, back to Perez. A local television affiliate fails to note his party affiliation. You figure perhaps USA Today would let their national audience know since they're probably not familiar with Hartford politics.

There it is, they do, although they wait until the 15th paragraph.

Perez, a Democrat, has said that he was wrong to hire Costa, and he repeated it again Monday.

"The perception in today's environment has the potential to undermine public confidence in government," Perez said. "That being said, I firmly believe that I did not commit a criminal act."

City Councilor Matt Ritter, also a Democrat, said he expects to the council to take "some immediate steps" in response to Perez's arrest.

"This is a very sad day for the city of Hartford," Ritter told the Courant

Gateway Pundit links. Thanks!