NEW HAVEN – The prosecutor in the federal corruption trial against Shelton developer James Botti lifted the veil off “Public Official Number One” today in his opening remarks when he told the federal court jury that Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti received $20,000 in lumber and construction work on his home in 2002.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Schechter said the bills were paid by James Botti, the Shelton developer on trial for bribery charges, and repaid by Lauretti after public reports appeared in the media that then-Gov. John G. Rowland was under investigation for a similar matter.
Schecther said that right after news about Rowland appeared, “James Botti and Mark Lauretti scrambled.” That was in December of 2003.
Schechter said Lauretti paid the bills in January of 2004 but Botti got the money back to the mayor in a number of ways, some of which came in the form of a $9,000 Christmas party that Botti held at a restaurant the mayor owned at that time.
The jury began hearing evidence this morning against Botti, 47, of Maple Avenue, Shelton. He’s charged with conspiracry, bribery and mail fraud.
——–By Michael P. Mayko
Hang on kids……..gonna be one hellofa ride !!!!!
Comment by Shelton DaD — March 8th, 2010 @ 12:35 pm