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City Pays Legal Fees, But Not For Eddie Perez

Total is about $160,000 to date

Jeff Cohen

June 30, 2010

Now that the corruption trial of former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez is over, the city still has some legal bills to pay.

The city has been paying the legal bills of its employees involved in the probe of Perez since the investigation began. As of this week, the city says that total is roughly $160,000 -- and it is likely to get bigger.

One bill not in the city's files is the one from the firm of Santos and Seeley -- Perez's attorneys. City officials have said that Perez has not submitted any bills for reimbursement.

And new Mayor Pedro Segarra says that now, after Perez's conviction on five corruption-related charges, the city wouldn't be able to reimburse them, anyhow. He says state law prohibits it.

"My understanding was that if you are accused of criminal conduct in connection with your duties that those are borne by the individual in the event that they're found guilty and they're bourne by the city if they are vindicated."

The bills most recently submitted to the city are for lawyers representing city attorneys, finance officials, and public works officials. They also include legal fees for State Representative Kelvin Roldan, who once worked for Perez, and for Matt Hennessy -- Perez's one-time chief of staff.

To see a list of Ouside Counsel Fees, click on the link in the Related Links box.