“I want to apologize to the good people of the City of Bridgeport,” former Police Chief AJ Perez tells News 12’s Frank Recchia. “I served this city for almost 38 years. It broke my heart when I had to leave.”
See interview here
From News 12:
Former Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez sat down on Wednesday for his first TV interview since being released from federal prison in 2022.Perez said it was a long road that’s led from the police department to federal prison and then home again…
Perez conspired with the city’s former civil service director, who was also convicted in connection with the case, to accept help on the police chief’s exam.Perez ended up serving eight months in federal prison and lost half of his pension. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the city and do community service.“I looked at the requirements, and I said, ‘Oh, man, I don’t have that big college degree,’” he said.
2+
A. J. Is a nice guy.
He was a really good cop.
He did great work before he was acting chief.
He made a HUGE mistake.
End of story.
I wish him the best.
Hello Rich. Did you hear that your buddy, Detective Frank Podpolucha is also an FBI agent?
Really?!!!! GTF out of here!
My compliments to you, as you have a good memory and must have recalled that I threw that asshole out of my store back when! Well….it only proves the caliber of employees that the FBI is recruiting these days. 🙄 geez !
Cheers!
And I’ll have to take my informant to task for not letting me know that!! 🤷♂️
Federal prison time of 8 months ain’t nothing.
The Most severe and unjust sentence, is the confiscation of his pension by the State of Connecticut. How is it possible that the Judges, Conbecticut State’s Attorney, and the Lawyers of A.J. Perez and David Dunn, NOT understand the language of the law ( State and Federal Statutes) applied to justify the confiscation of their pensions?
In order for the statue to be applicable. Two (2) instances of an act of corruption is necessary. First, they must show that Perez and Dunn had a prior conviction of corruption.
See or Google CAFRA 2001.
Dear A.J Perez:
You are a dear friend to me. As as Janitor at the Bridgeport Police Department and since we met in 1995, you have always treated me and many others with dignity and respect. Many say, “you’re a nice guy or a good guy.” I’ve seen and know that. What I know and see now is a good, nice, FRIEND, in need of help.
I don’t have much time to be there to help and I need your approval and cooperation for me and others to help you recover what has been unjustly taken from you. Call me my dear friend!
I have respect for AJ Perez, as he returns to the community and prepares to serve it.
I have wondered why he felt unable to advance his professional credentials earlier in his career. Perhaps that is the role that a Civil Service Commission has compromised by failing to have annual evaluations that include positive directions and encouragement to officers from their supervisors. Such a failure exists across most City Departments today and is frequently blamed on union negativity. Really?? When industry and commercial employers use such employee meetings to increase the value of employee effort by such encouragement and guidance? Is “kissing the ring”, loyalty, the operating City alternative?
What public service does he consider to be a part of his ultimate legacy? Where can any wisdom from his “silent isolation” bear fruit for folks in Bridgeport?
Welcome back, Chief. You have paid a price for your decisions, but it is a new day, and you can make choices with new directions that enrich all in the community. Of course there are some returnees, who suffer the consequences for their actions, and ultimately fail to suffer genuine remorse or a measured change of behavior.
Your story shows humility of attitude, personally. Where do you wish to live the latter chapters of your lifestory? Time will tell.
JLM, do also consider the fact that others somehow had been able to further theirs education while on the force.
Chief Roderick Porter Sr. is an example. He did it by studying when he was supposed to be doing police work and even working overtime allllllllot.
You’re right Joel. In fact it’s a 100% tuition benefit. 😳
Love A. J like a brother however he was always had the I want to please everyone I want to be everyone’s friend attitude when he should have been holding people to task when they were wrong. That’s the definition of a leader and unfortunately A. J lacked those qualities. This goes back to when he was Little Joey’s driver during Ganim 1. Admitted he hid evidence (expensive wine) for Little Joey in a federal corruption case. Love A.J but he should have been fired for that and he wasn’t. Anyone remember what happened to the Arkansas State Police Colonel who supplied then Governor Wild Bill Clinton with prostitutes? Fired!!! A.J was never disciplined for Conduct Umbecoming and eventually rose in rank all the way to Captain and eventually to Chief of Police. A.J could have easily accepted the Acting Chief position that he received for his loyalty to Little Joey during Ganim 2.0 and then told Little Joey I appreciate the jester and I will stay in the the position of Acting Chief until you find a perminent Chief as I am under qualified. Instead power got the best of A.J and as they say the rest is history. Remember there are consquences for your actions. Only in Bridgeport.