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City Contract Supervisor Applies For Special Probation

CHRISTINE DEMPSEY

October 15, 2009

HARTFORD — - Edward Lazu, a former city contract compliance supervisor, applied for a special form of probation Thursday in Superior Court.

Lazu is accused of trading favorable treatment of city contractor Carlos Costa in exchange for a new driveway at Lazu's Hartford home.

By applying for accelerated rehabilitation — a program in which criminal charges are expunged after the successful completion of a probationary period — Lazu does not admit guilt. Lazu's next court date is set for Nov. 25.

Costa has pleaded not guilty to bribery charges related to work he did on the homes of Lazu and Mayor Eddie A. Perez. Perez has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery and other charges.

Lazu said he paid Costa $1,100 — in cash, with no receipts — for work USA Contractors did removing nearly 40 feet of sidewalk and putting down part of a stone driveway, according to court documents.

But Costa testified the job was worth at least $5,000, and that Lazu never paid him. He told investigators that money only came up after Lazu received a grand jury subpoena, at which point Costa said Lazu asked him to provide a cash receipt for $1,000. Costa refused, court documents state.

Prosecutors allege that Lazu certified USA Contractors to perform demolition and asbestos-abatement work, even though the company's state licenses to perform that work had expired, and blocked efforts by subordinates to compel Costa to abide by prevailing-wage laws for employees.