Conn. prosecutor, defense lawyer give closing arguments in Hartford mayor’s corruption trial

Closing arguments given in Hartford mayor’s trial

HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut prosecutor has portrayed Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez as a liar who abused the powers of his office, while the mayor’s lawyer says the state distorted evidence during Perez’s corruption trial.

Closing arguments were presented Wednesday at Hartford Superior Court. Jury deliberations were expected to begin later in the day or Thursday.

Perez denies allegations that he accepted a bribe of home improvements from a city contractor and tried to extort $250,000 from a developer who wanted to buy city-owned property.

Prosecutor Michael Gailor told the jury that Perez backed away from the extortion attempt after the media and others began looking into it because he was afraid of getting caught. Authorities say Perez paid for the home improvements only after he was questioned by investigators.