Giordano Contends Lawyer Botched Child Sex Case

A lawyer for Phillip Giordano has asked a federal judge for another chance to overturn the former Waterbury mayor's federal conviction on child sex charges.

The Connecticut Post reports that legal papers filed on Friday argue that Giordano received ineffective assistance during his 2003 trial.

Giordano, a Republican who lost the 2000 election for U.S. Senate to Sen. Joe Lieberman, is serving a 37-year sentence on federal charges, including violating the civil rights of two girls, ages 8 and 10, by sexually abusing them while he was mayor.

A hearing on legal arguments, including one that Giordano should have challenged the federal wiretaps that uncovered the abuse, is scheduled in U.S. District Court on Monday. 

U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill must then decide whether to order an evidentiary hearing.