A New London man is facing a criminal charge for failing to maintain what city officials describe as an unruly bamboo grove.
Carlos Carrion says he's being unfairly targeted by the city and is mounting a defense.
The Day reports Carrion entered a not guilty plea last week in New London Superior Court to the city's first blight-related criminal infraction under a newly revised blight ordinance.
City officials say Carrion repeatedly refused to clean up his property and trim his bamboo.
Carrion's attorney - former New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio - said the city overstepped its authority.
Finizio said a Vietnam veteran gave Carrion the bamboo over 30 years ago and he's kept it in his memory.
The towering bamboo covers much of the property.
Copyright AP - Associated Press