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Botti Corruption Trial

Q&A: SHELTON MAYOR MARK LAURETTI

by Jodie Mozdzer Gil | Mar 13, 2010 9:47 am | Comments (0)

The first week of the federal corruption trial of Shelton developer James Botti is over. 

Mayor Mark Lauretti has been a major focal point of testimony so far. He spoke to the Valley Independent Sentinel Friday evening about the case. 

Valley Indy: Mayor Lauretti, we wanted to give you a chance to respond to the various allegations that have come out during the trial.

Mark Lauretti: That’s all they are — allegations. Where’s all the facts?

Continue reading ‘Q&A: SHELTON MAYOR MARK LAURETTI’

Who’s On Trial?

by Jodie Mozdzer Gil | Mar 13, 2010 9:38 am | Comments (0)

After a week of testimony in the federal corruption trial for Shelton developer James Botti, several themes are taking form. 

The main theme — Mayor Mark A. Lauretti.

With more scandalous accusations being tossed from the witness stand about Lauretti each day, some have questioned the prosecution’s tactic of focusing on alleged favors to the mayor and his management style in town as they try to prove that Botti was bribing public officials to get approvals for development projects.

Continue reading ‘Who’s On Trial?’

Other Developers Implicated At Botti Trial

by Jodie Mozdzer Gil | Mar 11, 2010 9:09 pm | Comments (0)

Tainted.

That’s how Shelton Planning and Zoning Administrator Richard Schultz described the integrity of Mayor Mark A. Lauretti during his testimony at the federal corruption trial for Shelton developer James Botti. 

“In my opinion it’s (tainted) is someone that consciously bends the rules for monetary or other gains,” Schultz said toward the end of his several-hour-long testimony Thursday. 

Continue reading ‘Other Developers Implicated At Botti Trial’

Witness: Botti Sent Lauretti To Disney

by Jodie Mozdzer | Mar 10, 2010 11:20 pm | Comments (0)

Soon after Shelton developer James Botti received approvals for his Crown Point development on Bridgeport Avenue, he paid for Mayor Mark A. Lauretti’s family to vacation at Disney World in Florida. 

That’s according to Botti’s former accountant, Michael Plude, who testified on the third day of Botti’s federal corruption trial at U.S. District Court in New Haven Wednesday.

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Update: Shelton For Sale, Prosecutor Says

by Jodie Mozdzer | Mar 9, 2010 8:26 am | Comments (0)

Mayor Mark A. Lauretti was the special guest star in most of the questioning and arguments heard on the first day of the federal corruption trial for Shelton developer James Botti.

Prosecutors kicked off the trial Monday by telling the jury that Botti bribed Lauretti with ​“tens of thousands of dollars” and favors such as free renovations on Lauretti’s home in his quest to get development projects approved in Shelton. 

Continue reading ‘Update: Shelton For Sale, Prosecutor Says’

Judge Rules On Botti’s ‘Wish List’

by Jodie Mozdzer Gil | Feb 18, 2010 4:33 pm | Comments (0)

An order filed Wednesday by Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Haight knocked down some of the potential defense strategies for James Botti, a Shelton developer who is facing a federal trial in March for allegedly bribing public officials in Shelton.

But William Dow III, Botti’s attorney, said the defense got the key thing they wanted out of their motions: the ability to call character witnesses to attest to Botti’s bombastic and hyperbolic nature. 

Continue reading ‘Judge Rules On Botti’s ‘Wish List’’