Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez will spend three years in prison after being found guilty of multiple felony charges by a jury.
Superior Court Judge Julia Dewey issued a total sentence Tuesday of eight years, suspended after Perez serves three years in prison, plus three years of probation.
In seeking leniency, Perez told the judge that he did not have the words to express his love for his hometown. Perez also told the judge that he will "live with the consequences'' of his actions for the rest of his life.
"The city has suffered,'' Perez said. "My family has suffered. I have suffered. Each and every day, your honor, each and every day for the rest of my life, I will make amends'' for his actions.
Before issuing her sentence, Judge Dewey said she would not restate the facts of the case because they are well known publicly.
"No one here can ignore the jury's verdict,'' the judge said. "The reason we are all here today, Mr. Perez, is your conduct. ... It's one of your making. You created this. ... The media did not cause the situation. They did what was their responsibility.''
She added, "The victim was the city of Hartford. ... I cannot ignore the offense. ... You violated a public trust. ... It's a crime.''
"Your conduct was just unacceptable,'' Dewey said, noting that Perez had sworn to uphold the constitution several times.
The judge referred several times in the sentencing to "the Davis Street building'' in Hartford, adding that she would refuse to use the well-known term of the "Butt Ugly'' building.
The court adjourned at about 12:48 p.m. Tuesday as Perez's supporters reacted emotionally to the sentence.