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{{short description|Puerto Rico-born politician}}
'''Eddie Alberto Perez''' is the Mayor of [[Hartford, Connecticut]]. Mr. Perez has made history by being the City’s first [[Latino]] Mayor who is also still a local gang leader. He is a stealing lowlife who runs for the area TV cameras. He changed the City Charter in 2002, and is now the [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of Hartford.
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{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Eddie Pérez
| image = Hartford mayor Eddie Pérez, May 12, 2008.jpg
| caption = Perez in 2008
| office = 65th [[Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut|Mayor of Hartford]]
| term_start = {{start date|2001|01|01}}
| term_end = {{end date|2010|06|25}}
| predecessor = Michael P. Peters
| successor = [[Pedro Segarra]]
| office2 =
| term_start2 =
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| constituency2 =
| office3 =
| term_start3 =
| term_end3 =
| predecessor3 =
| successor3 =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1957}}
| birth_place= [[Corozal, Puerto Rico]]
| death_date =
| death_place=
| spouse = Maria Perez
| profession =
| education = {{plainlist|
* [[Capital Community College]] ([[Associate degree|AS]])
* [[Trinity College (Connecticut)|Trinity College]] ([[Bachelor of Economics|BEc]])}}
| religion =
| footnotes =
| signature =
}}
'''Eduardo Alberto "Eddie" Perez''' (born 1957) is an American politician who served as the 65th [[mayor of Hartford, Connecticut|mayor]] of [[Hartford, Connecticut]], from 2001 to 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-03-14 |title=Judge Revokes Pension for Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez: AP |url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/judge-revokes-pension-for-former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez-ap/141171/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=NBC Connecticut |language=en-US |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815044115/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/judge-revokes-pension-for-former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez-ap/141171/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to entering politics, Perez worked as a [[community service|community organizer]]. Perez served as the first mayor who was also the CEO of the city, a setup known as a [[Strong Mayor]].


Perez was recognized in 2001 for his willingness to challenge the entrenched Hartford political machine and form a multi-party coalition focused on reforming the city government.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2001-12-02-0112020024-story.html |title=Perez Outflanks His Own Party |first=Mark |last=Pazniokas |date=2001-12-02 |website=[[Hartford Courant]] |access-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-date=January 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126114236/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2001-12-02-0112020024-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Born in [[Corozal, Puerto Rico]], Mr. Perez arrived in Hartford in 1969 at the age of 12. Unfortunately, he didnt stay there. His family was greeted by substandard housing and limited opportunities for Latinos. In order to escape the social turmoil in Hartford during the 1970’s, the Perez family moved frequently in search of a safe environment. He became a gang leader who looted and pillaged the community at will, much like what he has done as Mayor. This served as the foundation for what Mayor Perez stands for today. That is steal what you can get from government. It is what The liberal [[Hartford Courant]] characterizes as “a living metaphor for survival, continually evolving, Hartford politicians who are all crooks."


In 2017 he pleaded guilty to receiving bribes and criminal attempts to commit larceny in the first degree via extortion, both of which are felonies.<ref name="WNPR" /><ref name="WTNH">{{cite web |last1=Ceneviva |first1=Alex |title=Ex-mayor pleads guilty, avoids prison in corruption case |url=https://www.wtnh.com/news/crime/ex-mayor-pleads-guilty-avoids-prison-in-corruption-case_20180322094731367/1068302896 |website=[[WTNH]] |accessdate=6 May 2019}}</ref>
Mr. Perez graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1976, and later earned an Associate’s Degree from [[Capital Community Technical College]]. (Big Accomplishment). Along the way, his affiliations included the youth group at Sacred Heart Church, led by Father Tom Goekler. Father Tom Goekler and “Big Brother” David Lowery became father figures to the future Mayor, instilling in him a passion for community service.


==Youth and early career==
In 1978, Mr. Perez took a job as a [[VISTA]] volunteer to address tenant issues in the North End, and shakedown the local drug lords for cash. That position led to his role as the founding member of the grassroots organization [[O.N.E./C.H.A.N.E.]] In 1986, he became the Director of [[MASH]] (Make Something Happen), an early welfare-to-work effort for families in public housing, which was a joke.
Eddie Alberto Pérez was born in 1957 in [[Corozal, Puerto Rico]], where he spent much of his childhood. In 1969 the Pérez family moved with Eddie and his eight siblings to Hartford, Connecticut, which at the time had a growing Puerto Rican community.{{cn|date=August 2022}} The family moved 14 times between the Clay Arsenal and [[Frog Hollow, Hartford, Connecticut|Frog Hollow]] neighborhoods while Perez was growing up. During his youth, he was a member of the [[Ghetto Brothers]] gang. Perez graduated from [[Hartford Public High School]] and holds an associate degree from [[Capital Community College]] and a bachelor's degree in Economics from [[Trinity College (Connecticut)]].<ref name="Courant Blair 2019" />


Beginning in 1979 as a [[Volunteers in Service to America]] (VISTA) volunteer, Perez founded Organized Northeasterners/Clay Hill and North End Inc. (ONE/CHANE), a grassroots neighborhood organization dedicated to improving the housing and economic conditions in North Hartford. He then joined Make Something Happen, a program in Hartford's Stowe Village, as its director for two years.<ref name="Courant Blair 2019">{{cite news |last1=Blair |first1=Russel |title=Eddie Perez has a long history in Hartford as he seeks to return to the mayor's office he left amid corruption charges |url=https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-clb-news-hartford-eddie-perez-rise-and-fall-20190404-zipxarmg7jhozjcvzcsyzp53pa-story.html |website=[[Hartford Courant]] |accessdate=29 July 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707061745/https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-clb-news-hartford-eddie-perez-rise-and-fall-20190404-zipxarmg7jhozjcvzcsyzp53pa-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Three years later, the President of [[Trinity College]] was looking for its first Director of Community Relations---a affirmative action created position that needed a local minority hack, and Eddie Perez fit the bill. By 1994, Mr. Perez had earned a degree in economics from Trinity (while working there full time-wink,wink), and was named Associate Vice President of Community and Government Relations for Trinity, another affirmative action motivated created position.


In 1990, Perez became director of community and government relations at Trinity College.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.trincoll.edu/pub/Press%20Releases/alum-perez.htm |website=Trinity College |title=Trinity College's National Alumni Association Bestows Alumni Medal of Excellence on Eddie Perez |location=Hartford, CT |date=2001-07-19 |access-date=December 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213180032/http://www.trincoll.edu/pub/Press%20Releases/alum-perez.htm |archivedate=December 13, 2013 }}</ref> In 1999, Perez became the president of the Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, an organization sponsored by Trinity College and [[Hartford Hospital]]. As SINA's president, Perez was instrumental in the foundation and implementation of the $110 million Learning Corridor complex.<ref>{{cite news |work=Hartford News |url=http://www.hartfordinfo.org/issues/documents/history/htfd_news_021810.asp |title=SINA: The Learning Corridor and Beyond |via=HartfordInfo.org |first=Andy |last=Hart |date=2010-02-18 |accessdate=2016-06-23 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928092734/http://www.hartfordinfo.org/issues/documents/history/htfd_news_021810.asp |archivedate=2015-09-28 }}</ref><ref name="Courant Blair 2019" />
In June of 1999, he was tapped to be the President and Executive Director of the [[Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance]] (SINA), which is an organization founded by Trinity College and [[Hartford Hospital]]. In that capacity, he spearheaded the completion of the $112 million Learning Corridor and launched SINA’s $220 million Neighborhood Initiative. Both are now recognized as national models for comprehensive community revitalization. One look at Hartford's North End shows how successful his programs were. He has now arroganly appointed himself chairman of the local Hartford School board, further evidence how swelled and out of control his ego is.


==Term as mayor==
Perez was first elected as Mayor of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] in 2001. The citizens sincerley hope he is put in priosn, or returned to Puerto Rico.
In his first run for political office in 2001, Eddie Pérez made history as the first Hispanic American to become mayor of a New England capital. A native of Puerto Rico, Pérez also broke new political ground by forging a bipartisan coalition of community activists and corporate leaders that contributed to his landslide victory. Elected on a platform of administrative reform, educational improvement, and housing development, Pérez received seventy-five percent of the vote on election day. Pérez credited grassroots support for giving him the victory. He also pointed to the reinvigorated sense of citizenship that his campaign had generated in Hartford's Hispanic community. "There was no sense of building social, economic, and cultural capital as Americans, "he told the New York Times shortly after his election, "We have to begin to rebuild that foundation."{{cn|date=August 2022}}


Perez, a [[United States Democratic Party|Democrat]], was re-elected in [[2003 Hartford mayoral election|2003]] in a landslide victory and again in [[2007 Hartford mayoral election|2007]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/nyregion/07conn.html|title=Despite Investigations, Perez Is Re-elected in Hartford|first=Christine|last=Stuart|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 7, 2007|publisher=|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=August 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822021911/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/nyregion/07conn.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007 an Editorial in the Hartford Courant credited Perez with helping to reform the Hartford public school system, reduce crime, increase the city's historically low homeownership rate, increase the number residents with access to high-speed internet and spark economic development.<ref name="hartfordinfo.org">{{cite news |department=Editorial |url=http://www.hartfordinfo.org/issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_102807_1.asp |title=Mr. Perez For Mayor |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |via=HartfordInfo.org |date=October 28, 2007 |access-date=June 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180238/http://www.hartfordinfo.org/issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_102807_1.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>
==External Links==
[http://www.hartford.gov/government/mayor/default.htm Hartford's Mayor]


Perez gained a reputation for pushing forward urban redevelopment in both the central business district and neighborhoods of the city.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/06/29/beleaguered-hartford-seeks-comeback/a6485ff3-1c5b-4e67-9d06-fe2d44119b8f/ |title=Beleaguered Hartford Seeks Comeback |date=2003-06-29 |first=David |last=Lamb |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409 |access-date=January 26, 2019 |archive-date=January 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128082812/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/06/29/beleaguered-hartford-seeks-comeback/a6485ff3-1c5b-4e67-9d06-fe2d44119b8f/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, he worked with grass-roots unions such as [[UNITE HERE]] to make sure jobs at new developments went to city residents.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-05-13-0505130358-story.html |title=Union at Hilton Approves 4-Year Contract |first=Kenneth R. |last=Gosselin |date=2005 |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |access-date=January 27, 2019 |archive-date=January 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126062023/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-05-13-0505130358-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mayor Perez resigned from the office following his conviction on corruption charges in 2010.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.hartford.gov/news/PR061810Statement.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619054523/http://www.hartford.gov/news/PR061810Statement.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 19, 2010 | publisher=City of Hartford | title=Statement of Mayor Eddie A. Perez | date=June 18, 2010 | access-date=June 18, 2010}}</ref>
[[Category:Connecticut]]

=== Corruption cases ===
Perez was arrested in 2009 and convicted in 2010 on charges related to a failed development deal and work done by a city contractor on his house. It was alleged that Perez took part in two separate corrupt schemes, in the first one he was accused of accepting [[bribes]] from a city contractor (primarily discounted home renovation) in return for protecting the contractor from the consequences of shoddy work they had done for the city. The second case involved attempted [[larceny]] by [[extortion]], it was alleged that Perez tried to coerce a Hartford businessman into paying a bribe to a friendly politician.<ref name="WNPR" /> Even after his conviction Perez claimed that he was innocent and vowed to appeal the conviction.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/eddie-perez/hc-web-perez-sentencing-0915-20100914,0,7541950.story |title=Former Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez Sentenced To Three Years In Prison |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918022904/http://articles.courant.com/2010-09-15/news/hc-web-perez-sentencing-0915-20100914_1_abraham-giles-judge-julia-d-dewey-prosecutor-michael-gailor |archive-date=2010-09-18 |department=Community |first=Jenna |last=Carlesso |date=September 15, 2010 |access-date=June 23, 2016}}</ref> Some, at the time of the Perez investigation, wondered if there was a connection between the Governor's Chief of Staff, the Chief State's Attorney and the investigation of Perez, a political opponent of the Governor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.courant.com/2006/06/11/states-top-prosecutor-stepped-on-wrong-toes/ |title=State's Top Prosecutor Stepped On Wrong Toes |first=Kevin |last=Rennie|work=[[Hartford Courant]] |date=2006-06-11 |access-date=June 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707234826/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2006-06-11-0606110376-story.html |archive-date=2021-07-07}}</ref>

On December 9, 2013, a ruling the Connecticut Appellate Court vacated Perez's sentence. The court found the trial judge abused her discretion by trying two unrelated cases at the same time, which violated Perez's Constitutional right to a fair trial.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Cohen |url=http://wnpr.org/post/court-orders-two-new-trials-former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez |title=Court Orders Two New Trials For Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez |work=[[WNPR]] |date=2013-12-09 |access-date=June 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054047/http://wnpr.org/post/court-orders-two-new-trials-former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/01ctweek.html|title=The Week in Connecticut|first=Avi|last=Salzman|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 30, 2006|publisher=|access-date=January 27, 2019}}</ref> However, they did not rule that he could not still be tried for both crimes separately.<ref name="courant.com">{{cite news |first=Jenna |last=Carlesso |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211230030/http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-perez-appeal-1210-20131209,0,5024262.story |archive-date=2013-12-11 |url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-perez-appeal-1210-20131209,0,5024262.story |title=Appeals Court: Perez Should Get New Trials |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |date=2013-12-09 |access-date=June 23, 2016}}</ref> On July 14, 2016, the [[Connecticut Supreme Court]] upheld the December 2013 decision of the [[Connecticut Appellate Court]] overturning Pérez's conviction on charges of bribery, fabricating evidence, and conspiracy to fabricate evidence in connection with the failed development of a vacant site, and improvements to his home by a city contractor,<ref>{{Cite news|work=[[WNPR]]|url=http://wnpr.org/post/state-s-high-court-overturns-convictions-former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez|title=State's High Court Overturns Convictions of Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez|last=Cohen|first=Jeff|date=14 July 2016|access-date=2016-07-14|archive-date=July 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715145443/http://wnpr.org/post/state-s-high-court-overturns-convictions-former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez|url-status=live}}</ref> and vacated his sentence.

After the Appellate Court decision Perez was re-indicted on the charges but this time split into two separate cases. In 2017 Perez [[pleaded guilty]] to avoid facing two lengthy and expensive trials with little chance of success (his previous conviction only being thrown out on a technicality).<ref name="WNPR" /> He pleaded guilty to receiving bribes related to the corrupt contractor case and criminal attempt to commit larceny in the first degree by extortion related to the extortion case.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trial Memorandum |url=http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wnpr/files/perez_pension.pdf |website=publicbroadcasting.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127005841/http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wnpr/files/perez_pension.pdf |archive-date=2023-11-27 |accessdate=4 May 2019}}</ref> He was sentenced to an 8-year suspended prison sentence<ref name="Courant 2017">{{cite news |first1=David |last1=Owens |first2=Jenna |last2=Carlesso |title=Ex-Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez Pleads Guilty To Bribe Receiving, Attempted Larceny; Spared Prison |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-eddie-perez-pleads-guilty-20170831-story.html |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |accessdate=6 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127005843/https://www.courant.com/2017/08/31/ex-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez-pleads-guilty-to-bribe-receiving-attempted-larceny-spared-prison/ |archive-date=2023-11-27 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> and given a conditional discharge.<ref name="WTNH" />

In March 2019 Perez was stripped of his state pension because of the severity of his crimes. His legal team made the argument that while he had indeed committed the crimes in question there was no direct financial harm to the city, an argument which was disputed by the prosecution and found wanting by the Judge. The Judge stated that “The severity of the crimes, the self-dealing and disdain for the public good demonstrated by his conduct, as well as the high degree of public trust reposed in the defendant, outweigh any factors mitigating his crimes.”<ref name="WNPR">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wnpr.org/post/state-judge-revokes-pension-convicted-former-hartford-mayor-perez|title=State Judge Revokes Pension Of Convicted Former Hartford Mayor Perez|last=Cohen|first=Jeff|work=[[WNPR]]|date=14 March 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15|archive-date=August 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822021912/https://www.ctpublic.org/politics/2019-03-14/state-judge-revokes-pension-of-convicted-former-hartford-mayor-perez|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Activities since leaving office==
Since leaving office Perez has served as a consultant for non-profits. In 2013, along with two partners, Perez opened an [[insurance]] firm on Park Street in Hartford.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://foxct.com/2013/10/22/former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez-to-open-insurance-company/ |title=Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez To Open Insurance Company |work=FOX 61 |date=2013-10-22 |access-date=June 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308020150/http://foxct.com/2013/10/22/former-hartford-mayor-eddie-perez-to-open-insurance-company/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The firm closed soon thereafter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carleso |first1=Jenna |title=Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez Sues City, Seeking Money For Legal Fees |url=https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-legal-fees-20180615-story.html |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |accessdate=29 July 2019 |archive-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729071959/https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-legal-fees-20180615-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since 2015 he has been employed as a transportation coordinator for the [[Capitol Region Education Council]] with a salary of $47,034 per year.<ref name="Courant 2017" />

=== 2019 mayoral run ===
{{see also|2019 Hartford, Connecticut mayoral election}}
On April 4, 2019, Perez announced he was once again running to be Mayor of Hartford.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Skahill |first1=Patrick |title=After Pleading Guilty to Corruption, Former Mayor Perez Wants Hartford To Pay Legal Bills |url=https://www.wshu.org/post/after-pleading-guilty-corruption-former-mayor-perez-wants-hartford-pay-legal-bills#stream/0 |date=14 June 2018 |work=[[WSHU-FM]] |accessdate=6 May 2019}}</ref> In his announcement speech at the Arch Street Tavern he took responsibility for his past misdeeds and addressed the voters saying "I ask for your forgiveness. I ask the city to give me a second chance."<ref>{{cite web |title=Eddie Perez Formally Announces Mayoral Run |url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Eddie-Perez-Formally-Announces-Mayoral-Run--508135631.html |work=NBC Connecticut |date=April 4, 2019 |accessdate=6 May 2019 |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822021913/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/eddie-perez-formally-announces-mayoral-run/154056/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Perez lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Bronin and unsuccessfully challenged Bronin in the general election as an independent.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{C-SPAN|1016161}}
* {{Cite book|url=http://www.hartford.gov/government/mayor/biography.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203152115/http://hartford.gov/Government/mayor/biography.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-03|title=About Hartford's Mayor|publisher=Hartford city government|accessdate=2009-01-29}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Michael P. Peters]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut|Mayor of Hartford]]|years=2001–2010}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Pedro Segarra]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Eddie}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century mayors of places in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican people in Connecticut politics]]
[[Category:American politicians of Puerto Rican descent]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American mayors]]
[[Category:Mayors of Hartford, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Connecticut Democrats]]
[[Category:People from Corozal, Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Trinity College (Connecticut) alumni]]
[[Category:Connecticut politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:American white-collar criminals]]
[[Category:Date of birth missing (living people)]]

Latest revision as of 04:13, 22 December 2024

Eddie Pérez
Perez in 2008
65th Mayor of Hartford
In office
January 1, 2001 (2001-01-01) – June 25, 2010 (2010-06-25)
Preceded byMichael P. Peters
Succeeded byPedro Segarra
Personal details
Born1957 (age 67–68)
Corozal, Puerto Rico
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMaria Perez
Education

Eduardo Alberto "Eddie" Perez (born 1957) is an American politician who served as the 65th mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, from 2001 to 2010.[1] Prior to entering politics, Perez worked as a community organizer. Perez served as the first mayor who was also the CEO of the city, a setup known as a Strong Mayor.

Perez was recognized in 2001 for his willingness to challenge the entrenched Hartford political machine and form a multi-party coalition focused on reforming the city government.[2]

In 2017 he pleaded guilty to receiving bribes and criminal attempts to commit larceny in the first degree via extortion, both of which are felonies.[3][4]

Youth and early career

[edit]

Eddie Alberto Pérez was born in 1957 in Corozal, Puerto Rico, where he spent much of his childhood. In 1969 the Pérez family moved with Eddie and his eight siblings to Hartford, Connecticut, which at the time had a growing Puerto Rican community.[citation needed] The family moved 14 times between the Clay Arsenal and Frog Hollow neighborhoods while Perez was growing up. During his youth, he was a member of the Ghetto Brothers gang. Perez graduated from Hartford Public High School and holds an associate degree from Capital Community College and a bachelor's degree in Economics from Trinity College (Connecticut).[5]

Beginning in 1979 as a Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) volunteer, Perez founded Organized Northeasterners/Clay Hill and North End Inc. (ONE/CHANE), a grassroots neighborhood organization dedicated to improving the housing and economic conditions in North Hartford. He then joined Make Something Happen, a program in Hartford's Stowe Village, as its director for two years.[5]

In 1990, Perez became director of community and government relations at Trinity College.[6] In 1999, Perez became the president of the Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, an organization sponsored by Trinity College and Hartford Hospital. As SINA's president, Perez was instrumental in the foundation and implementation of the $110 million Learning Corridor complex.[7][5]

Term as mayor

[edit]

In his first run for political office in 2001, Eddie Pérez made history as the first Hispanic American to become mayor of a New England capital. A native of Puerto Rico, Pérez also broke new political ground by forging a bipartisan coalition of community activists and corporate leaders that contributed to his landslide victory. Elected on a platform of administrative reform, educational improvement, and housing development, Pérez received seventy-five percent of the vote on election day. Pérez credited grassroots support for giving him the victory. He also pointed to the reinvigorated sense of citizenship that his campaign had generated in Hartford's Hispanic community. "There was no sense of building social, economic, and cultural capital as Americans, "he told the New York Times shortly after his election, "We have to begin to rebuild that foundation."[citation needed]

Perez, a Democrat, was re-elected in 2003 in a landslide victory and again in 2007.[8] In 2007 an Editorial in the Hartford Courant credited Perez with helping to reform the Hartford public school system, reduce crime, increase the city's historically low homeownership rate, increase the number residents with access to high-speed internet and spark economic development.[9]

Perez gained a reputation for pushing forward urban redevelopment in both the central business district and neighborhoods of the city.[10] At the same time, he worked with grass-roots unions such as UNITE HERE to make sure jobs at new developments went to city residents.[11] Mayor Perez resigned from the office following his conviction on corruption charges in 2010.[12]

Corruption cases

[edit]

Perez was arrested in 2009 and convicted in 2010 on charges related to a failed development deal and work done by a city contractor on his house. It was alleged that Perez took part in two separate corrupt schemes, in the first one he was accused of accepting bribes from a city contractor (primarily discounted home renovation) in return for protecting the contractor from the consequences of shoddy work they had done for the city. The second case involved attempted larceny by extortion, it was alleged that Perez tried to coerce a Hartford businessman into paying a bribe to a friendly politician.[3] Even after his conviction Perez claimed that he was innocent and vowed to appeal the conviction.[13] Some, at the time of the Perez investigation, wondered if there was a connection between the Governor's Chief of Staff, the Chief State's Attorney and the investigation of Perez, a political opponent of the Governor.[14]

On December 9, 2013, a ruling the Connecticut Appellate Court vacated Perez's sentence. The court found the trial judge abused her discretion by trying two unrelated cases at the same time, which violated Perez's Constitutional right to a fair trial.[15][16] However, they did not rule that he could not still be tried for both crimes separately.[17] On July 14, 2016, the Connecticut Supreme Court upheld the December 2013 decision of the Connecticut Appellate Court overturning Pérez's conviction on charges of bribery, fabricating evidence, and conspiracy to fabricate evidence in connection with the failed development of a vacant site, and improvements to his home by a city contractor,[18] and vacated his sentence.

After the Appellate Court decision Perez was re-indicted on the charges but this time split into two separate cases. In 2017 Perez pleaded guilty to avoid facing two lengthy and expensive trials with little chance of success (his previous conviction only being thrown out on a technicality).[3] He pleaded guilty to receiving bribes related to the corrupt contractor case and criminal attempt to commit larceny in the first degree by extortion related to the extortion case.[19] He was sentenced to an 8-year suspended prison sentence[20] and given a conditional discharge.[4]

In March 2019 Perez was stripped of his state pension because of the severity of his crimes. His legal team made the argument that while he had indeed committed the crimes in question there was no direct financial harm to the city, an argument which was disputed by the prosecution and found wanting by the Judge. The Judge stated that “The severity of the crimes, the self-dealing and disdain for the public good demonstrated by his conduct, as well as the high degree of public trust reposed in the defendant, outweigh any factors mitigating his crimes.”[3]

Activities since leaving office

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Since leaving office Perez has served as a consultant for non-profits. In 2013, along with two partners, Perez opened an insurance firm on Park Street in Hartford.[21] The firm closed soon thereafter.[22]

Since 2015 he has been employed as a transportation coordinator for the Capitol Region Education Council with a salary of $47,034 per year.[20]

2019 mayoral run

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See also: 2019 Hartford, Connecticut mayoral election

On April 4, 2019, Perez announced he was once again running to be Mayor of Hartford.[23] In his announcement speech at the Arch Street Tavern he took responsibility for his past misdeeds and addressed the voters saying "I ask for your forgiveness. I ask the city to give me a second chance."[24]

Perez lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Bronin and unsuccessfully challenged Bronin in the general election as an independent.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Judge Revokes Pension for Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez: AP". NBC Connecticut. March 14, 2019. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  2. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (December 2, 2001). "Perez Outflanks His Own Party". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Cohen, Jeff (March 14, 2019). "State Judge Revokes Pension Of Convicted Former Hartford Mayor Perez". WNPR. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Ceneviva, Alex. "Ex-mayor pleads guilty, avoids prison in corruption case". WTNH. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Blair, Russel. "Eddie Perez has a long history in Hartford as he seeks to return to the mayor's office he left amid corruption charges". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  6. ^ "Trinity College's National Alumni Association Bestows Alumni Medal of Excellence on Eddie Perez". Trinity College (Press release). Hartford, CT. July 19, 2001. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  7. ^ Hart, Andy (February 18, 2010). "SINA: The Learning Corridor and Beyond". Hartford News. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2016 – via HartfordInfo.org.
  8. ^ Stuart, Christine (November 7, 2007). "Despite Investigations, Perez Is Re-elected in Hartford". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  9. ^ "Mr. Perez For Mayor". Editorial. Hartford Courant. October 28, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016 – via HartfordInfo.org.
  10. ^ Lamb, David (June 29, 2003). "Beleaguered Hartford Seeks Comeback". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  11. ^ Gosselin, Kenneth R. (2005). "Union at Hilton Approves 4-Year Contract". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  12. ^ "Statement of Mayor Eddie A. Perez" (PDF) (Press release). City of Hartford. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  13. ^ Carlesso, Jenna (September 15, 2010). "Former Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez Sentenced To Three Years In Prison". Community. Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  14. ^ Rennie, Kevin (June 11, 2006). "State's Top Prosecutor Stepped On Wrong Toes". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  15. ^ Cohen, Jeff (December 9, 2013). "Court Orders Two New Trials For Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez". WNPR. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  16. ^ Salzman, Avi (September 30, 2006). "The Week in Connecticut". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  17. ^ Carlesso, Jenna (December 9, 2013). "Appeals Court: Perez Should Get New Trials". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  18. ^ Cohen, Jeff (July 14, 2016). "State's High Court Overturns Convictions of Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez". WNPR. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  19. ^ "Trial Memorandum" (PDF). publicbroadcasting.net. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 27, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  20. ^ a b Owens, David; Carlesso, Jenna. "Ex-Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez Pleads Guilty To Bribe Receiving, Attempted Larceny; Spared Prison". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  21. ^ "Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez To Open Insurance Company". FOX 61. October 22, 2013. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  22. ^ Carleso, Jenna. "Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez Sues City, Seeking Money For Legal Fees". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  23. ^ Skahill, Patrick (June 14, 2018). "After Pleading Guilty to Corruption, Former Mayor Perez Wants Hartford To Pay Legal Bills". WSHU-FM. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  24. ^ "Eddie Perez Formally Announces Mayoral Run". NBC Connecticut. April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Hartford
2001–2010 		Succeeded by
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