In this weekend of resurrection, Mark Lauretti is feeling pretty good.
He has endured story after story about the federal government accusing him of a bribery conspiracy with developer James Botti except the government hasn’t charged the Shelton mayor. Why? Because prosecutors don’t think the evidence is strong enough for a conviction against a public official. So prosecutors moved forward with a federal prosecution of Botti hoping he would fold and testify against Lauretti. Botti told the government to stick it. Okay, want to play that game, we’ll charge you. The feds secured a conviction of Botti trying to grease Shelton officials for his development project. But when it came to the Lauretti-related charges it was a different story.
The Botti prosecution was more a trial run against the bigger fish. Understand that prosecutions of public officials charge straight to the top of a federal investigator’s resume. A jury on Thursday was deadlocked on the Lauretti-related charges in the Botti case, further credence that the case against Lauretti was short. Judge Charles Haight declared a mistrial. It would be remarkable if federal prosecutors moved forward with a Lauretti prosecution based on the evidence presented to the deadlocked jury.
Lauretti is a former Barnum Festival ringmaster, a former teacher at Central High School who has a mighty story to tell about transforming a Naugatuck Valley town into municipal tax-envy. This was his year to run for Congress or run for governor. The government allegations and newspaper headlines froze Lauretti’s chance for higher office this year.
The Flying Finch
Peter Finch, son of Bill, had a nice gathering for the launch of his documentary My Hu$tle, about the challenges of a young filmmaker and the company he keeps. Check it out from www.doingitlocal.com
The Budget, The Budget, The Budget
The City Council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee sessions are worth repeating. This is a crucial budget cycle for Mayor Bill Finch, just days away from formally submitting his spending plan to the City Council.
Budget and Appropriations Committee budget sessions
Legislative Department
Fleeta C. Hudson, City Clerk
Budget and Appropriations Committee
Official Budget Hearing Schedule for FY2010-2011
Tuesday, April 6 6:00 pm
Budget Overview – Revenue & Expenditures
Wheeler Rooms
Wednesday, April 7 6:00 pm
Legislative Services / Labor Relations
Wheeler Rooms
Thursday, April 8 6:00 pm
Benefits Dept / Personnel Dept
Wheeler Rooms
Friday, April 9 6:00 pm
Capital Plan Discussion
Wheeler Rooms
Monday, April 12 6:00 pm
Registrars of Voters / City Attorney
Wheeler Rooms
Wednesday, April 14 6:00 pm
Finance Dept / ITS / OPM / CAO
Wheeler Rooms
Thursday, April 15 6:00 pm
OPED – All Divisions
Wheeler Rooms
Friday, April 16 6:00 pm
Fire Dept
Wheeler Rooms
Saturday, April 17 9:30 am
Overview, possible Capital Plan vote
Hansen Education Building
Wednesday, April 21 6:00 pm
Health and Social Services – All Divisions
Wheeler Rooms
Thursday, April 22 6:00 pm
Police Dept
Wheeler Rooms
Friday, April 23 6:00 pm
Public Facilities
Wheeler Rooms
Saturday, April 24 9:30 am
Budget Overview
Office of Legislative Services
Tuesday, April 27 6:00 pm
Board of Education
Wheeler Rooms
Wednesday, April 28 6:00 pm
City Clerk / Town Clerk
Wheeler Rooms
Thursday, April 29 6:00 pm
Public Hearing (BOE/ General Fund)
City Council Chambers
Friday, April 30 6:00 pm
Central Grants and Community Development Dept
Wheeler Rooms
Saturday, May 1 9:30 am
Overview and possible committee budget vote
Office of Legislative Services
Tuesday, May 4 6:00 pm
Overview and possible committee budget vote
Wheeler Rooms
Wednesday, May 5 6:00 pm
Overview and possible committee budget vote
Wheeler Rooms
Thursday, May 6 6:00 pm
Overview and possible committee budget vote
Wheeler Rooms
Friday, May 7 6:00 pm
Overview and possible committee budget vote
Wheeler Rooms
Schedule is subject to adjustments as needed by Committee Co-Chairs Rev 3-26-10
Locations:
Hansen Education Building:
Beardsley Zoo
1875 Noble Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06610
Legislative Services Office:
City Hall Annex
999 Broad Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
2nd floor
Wheeler Rooms:
City Hall
45 Lyon Terrace
Bridgeport, CT 06604
1st floor
City Council Chambers:
City Hall
45 Lyon Terrace
Bridgeport, CT 06604
1st floor
*** Botti so far has shown some old school–G ways that are not usually seen in these type of fed. cases against political figures in general. He’s taken his best shot to dodge a bullet without trying to bring down Lauretti with him. “Omertà,” solo lo hago, solo lo pago! What’s he looking at, probation & a fine? Seems like it was a weak case from the beginning without anyone flipping on each other. Waste of taxpayers’ money after it’s all said & done from the brief media followings I’ve heard & read. *** FORGETABOUTIT ***
Good Friday to everyone. I don’t know much about this Shelton story so I won’t comment on it. Props to Obama the economy is showing big signs of a turnaround. Most jobs created in over 3 years.
Most jobs that were created were government census takers.
donj says, “Don’t send in your census form. Keep the economy growing!!!”
Local Eyes says “Ban all census takers. Make them use the digital highway.”
I heard Charlie Coviello speaking the other day. He said he was out looking for the homeless to count in the census. I heard someone in the crowd ask if he started with himself.
donj I suggest you read The Hill a think tank in Washington DC here is a quote from the president.
“Obama acknowledged that the positive economic signs do not include job growth; unemployment has increased to 9.8 percent, a 26-year high. But he said his stimulus plan has helped start a turnaround.”
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in March, and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Temporary help services and health care continued to add jobs over the month. Employment in federal government also rose, reflecting the hiring of temporary workers for Census 2010. Employment continued to decline in financial activities and in information.
I think you are misreading the information you posted. I wish you were right as there are a lot of people hurting and in need of work.
What??? Nobody comments on this?
Developer Robert D. Scinto on Thursday apologized for using a quotation from Adolf Hitler that stunned people during a gala awards dinner last weekend in Stamford.
But Scinto, in a phone interview from his Shelton headquarters, said he used the mass murderer’s quote “Give me a child when he’s 7 and he’s mine forever,” to underscore the need for early childhood education.
Do we think this will impact the JEWISH Home For The Elderly???