Jurors In the corruption trial of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez heard from the mayor Monday: not on the witness stand, but on tape from his initial interview with investigators.
Much of the questioning focused on the city-owned parking lot at 1143 Main Street, which was run by north end political boss Abraham Giles under a no-bid deal. The lot sits right next to an eyesore known as the "Butt Ugly Building."
"Why are you interested in keeping Giles there to start with? I mean, if the city sells the lot..." asked Inspector Michael Sullivan of the Chief State's Attorney's Office.
"He was already there. He was already parking, he's an existing businessman, he had asked to stay," replied Perez.
When asked what gave Giles the right to be there, the mayor said that, after talking with a city attorney, he was under the impression Giles had a lease with the city to operate the lot.
Developer Joseph Citino testified earlier in the trial that he wanted to buy the building and that parking lot to build condos and shops. He also said the mayor ordered him to "take care" of Giles or the deal wouldn't happen.
The price Citino and Giles agreed to: a $100,000 lease termination fee. Citino says he later learned Giles had no lease with the city. The deal fell through.
"I'm sure you're aware Mr. Citino has claimed that you told him to satisfy Abe or there wasn't going to be a deal? That statement would not be correct?" asked Inspector Sullivan.
"That never happened. That's not the way I do business. I do this a lot and try to get people to work together," replied the mayor.
When asked if he took care of Giles in exchange for getting votes, the mayor said that's "100 percent wrong."
The mayor was also questioned about why the city gave Giles a no-bid, no-lease deal to run a parking lot across the street at 1214 Main Street.
The mayor said Giles asked to run the lot, and also said the existing operator, Central Parking, did not.
Central Parking representatives testified earlier in the trial that they had requested to stay on the lot.
The mayor also stated he was unaware the Hartford Parking Authority had expressed an interest in taking over management of the lot.
Inspector Sullivan will be back on the witness stand Tuesday to continue his testimony.
