Hartford ex-mayor wins $71,000 arbitration award

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Former Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez, who was convicted on public corruption charges, has won $70,947 for unused vacation and sick time.

The Hartford Courant reports that an arbitrator awarded the money for Perez's 8 1/2-year tenure. However, he rejected about $24,000 of the ex-mayor's claim for time he said he worked as mayor during his trial last year.

The arbitrator compared Perez's claim with making work-related phone calls or emails while on vacation because the focus is vacation and vacation time would be used.

Perez's lawyer said the City Council must make the payment because the arbitration award has the effect of a court judgment. Perez, who faces jail time, is free while he appeals his conviction.

Mayor Pedro Segarra rejected his predecessor's claim but says the case is closed.

___

Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com