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Giles Applies For Special Probation

By Hartford Courant

October 16, 2009

Former state Rep. Abraham L. Giles, who was arrested in September in connection with a grand jury investigation of corruption at city hall, applied for a special form of probation todayFriday in Superior Court.

Giles, 83, was charged with one count of criminal attempt to commit larceny by extortion and one count of conspiracy to commit larceny by extortion.

Prosecutors allege that in 2007 Mayor Eddie A. Perez attempted to extort money from a private developer for Giles' benefit, and that in return Giles would secure votes for Perez, who was running for re-election.

Giles applied for accelerated rehabilitation, a type of probation that, upon successful completion, results in the dismissal of charges and expunging of any arrest record. Giles referred questions Friday to his attorney, John Kelly.

This is a pre-trial program for first offenders," Kelly said, adding that Giles should be eligible because he has never been arrested before, is not likely to offend again and the charges against him are not of a serious nature. Kelly noted that application to the program do not involve a plea or admission of guilt.

A hearing on the application was scheduled for Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. in Superior Court in Hartford.