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Judge Grants Perez Co-Defendant Special Form of Probation

Jeff Cohen

June 23, 2010

Judge Julia Dewey granted special probation to Edward Lazu, a former city employee who the state arrested on charges relating to home driveway work done by Carlos Costa — the same contractor whose home improvement work led to guilty verdicts for Mayor Eddie A. Perez.

His probation did not include a legal admission of guilt, but it did include an admission that he had made ethical mistakes. His probation will last six months.

I’ll be filing a story detailing the events later today.

Here is the story from later that day -

A former city employee who is alleged to have taken a bribe from the same contractor involved in the home improvements of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez has been granted probation. WNPR’s Jeff Cohen reports.

Judge Julia Dewey granted special probation to Edward Lazu, a former city employee who the state arrested on charges relating to home driveway work done by Carlos Costa — the same contractor whose home improvement work led to guilty verdicts for Mayor Eddie A. Perez.

Lazu told Dewey that he regretted his lack of judgment and the pain he caused his family. His attorney, Richard Brown, said that Lazu had made mistakes – including creating the perception of impropriety.

But state prosecutor Christopher Alexy told Dewey that Lazu did more than just hire a city contractor to work at his house – he hired a city contractor that he oversaw. Alexy said Lazu’s case was about much more than bribe receiving.

In the end, Dewey – who presided of the Perez trial – said that not all defendants in this case are alike. She also said that Lazu’s admission of ethical violations was, quote, refreshing. She then put Lazu in an accelerated rehabilitation program for six months and made him pay $1,100 into a victims compensation fund.

Lazu’s attorney, Richard Brown, spent much of his time in court, and after court, distancing his client from Perez.

“I think it’s important that the public understand that while my client was arrested at the same time that the mayor was arrested, my client’s case is clearly separate and distinct from the mayor’s case.”

Brown also said his client’s own remorse resonated with the court.

“My client does regret the fact that he had anything to do with Mr. Costa. Dealing with a contractor in a private fashion while you’re dealing with him in representing the city of Hartford is inappropriate. And he readily acknowledged that to the court. And I think that’s an important concept that she had yet to hear from any other defendant.”

Cases of two other Perez co-defendants – Republican city Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson and former Democratic state Representative Abraham Giles – were continued until August.