Hartford, Conn., mayor convicted of corruption

[The Northerner]

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Eddie Perez, a one-time gang leader who escaped an impoverished childhood to become Hartford's first Latino mayor, was convicted on 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 on 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."

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