Eddie Perez (politician)

Eddie Perez (born June 22, 1957) is an American politician who served as the 65th Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, from 2001 to 2010.

Perez was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Hartford. He became involved in community organizing and served as the Executive Director of Hartford's Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA) prior to entering politics.

In 2001, Perez was elected mayor, becoming the first Latino mayor in Hartford's history. He focused on economic development, education reform, and improving the quality of life for city residents. During his tenure, Hartford saw significant development projects, including Adriaen's Landing (later renamed Connecticut Convention Center and Front Street District). He also worked to improve the city's schools and reduce crime rates.

Perez's political career was significantly impacted by legal troubles. In 2009, he was indicted on bribery and larceny charges related to city contracts. He was convicted in 2010, leading to his removal from office. While the initial convictions were overturned on appeal, he was retried on some of the charges and ultimately found guilty of accepting a bribe in 2012. He served time in prison and was released in 2014.

Since his release, Perez has remained active in the Hartford community. His legacy as mayor is complex, marked by both achievements in urban revitalization and marred by his criminal convictions.