| Yet another opportunity to play "Name That Party!" |
Also Friday, state prosecutors asked Superior Court Judge Julia Dewey to combine the charges against Perez stemming from two separate arrests -- one last week, the other in January -- into one trial.
Prosecutors say Perez, in his 2007 race for mayor, attempted to extort money from a private developer for the benefit of political ally Abraham L. Giles. In return, Giles could have brought Perez votes, prosecutors alleged. In January, Perez was accused of trading his influence at city hall for discounted work on his Bloomfield Avenue home.
The judge scheduled a hearing on the matter for October. Perez has until Oct. 5 to respond to the motion.
In addition to Perez, a city councilwoman, a former state representative and a city businessman are facing charges in connection with the corruption probe.
Perez, City Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson, former Hartford state Rep. Abraham Giles and Farmington businessman Carlos Lopez were arrested last week on charges including attempted extortion, fabricating evidence, and voter fraud. The charges arose from an 18-month state investigation into allegations of corruption at city hall.