City Residents Speak About Guilty Verdict

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez was convicted on corruption charges today. As WNPR's Lucy Nalpathanchil reports, word trickled out slowly on Park Street where many of the city's Hispanics live.

A lot of people were out on Park Street today around noon despite the boiling sun. News of the verdict took some people by surprise like Joann Tavares.

Lucy: "Do you know the Mayor was convicted of corruption today?

Tavares: "Oh he was?!"

Tavares says she's a lifelong resident of the city. She said she couldn't think of any good the Mayor has done for Hartford. Others told WNPR off microphone that Perez got what he deserved.

But Carlos Vasquez said the Mayor has done a lot of good for Hartford and the punishment doesn't fit the crime. He says other state officials have gotten lighter sentences for corruption.

"Well I support him because the Governor did more damage and he only got one year. So the Mayor, got 50 years? I don't know, something is wrong there."

Vasquez was referring to former Governor John Rowland to corruption and only served one year in federal prison. Perez could see up to 55 years in prison for bribery and attempted larceny by extortion.

He's scheduled to be sentenced in September but the Mayor says he'll appeal the verdict.

For WNPR, I'm Lucy Nalpathanchil.