Perez to resign Friday

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Eddie Perez says he will be resigning this Friday as Hartford's mayor.

The embattled mayor was convicted last week on five of the six corruption charges he faced. A few hours after his conviction, he said he would be stepping down, but no date was given.

Here's the statement he issued today:

After lengthy and heartfelt discussions with my family and Council President Pedro Segarra, I will submit my letter of resignation as Mayor on Friday, June 25, 2010. The effective date will be worked out with Council leadership in order to allow for a smooth transition. 

I want to thank the employees of the City for their hard work and dedication in serving the residents of Hartford by always putting them first. I’m especially proud of our achievements together improving our schools, reducing crime, and maintaining financial stability during a worldwide economic crisis. 

It is time to move the City forward. I am truly sorry for the mistakes I have made that have harmed the City that I love.

All 9 city council members had signed a statement saying if Mayor Perez didn't step down they would force him out.

"Even the lawyers don't know -- and I'm not even a lawyer -- exactly how to do this," council member Larry Deutsch said. "It has not happened before here in Hartford."

"It is a long process," council member Matt Ritter said. "By long it's not six months, it's also not one day. It does take a couple of weeks. There are obviously due process protections, implications, and you have to be mindful of those things."

Sentencing for Perez is not until September and he has vowed to appeal.

The city council has already named a replacement. The president of the council, Pedro Segarra, will serve out the remaining 17 months of Perez's term.