Watch CBS News

Ex-Convict Former Bridgeport Mayor Considers Another Run

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Joseph Ganim, the former Bridgeport mayor who served seven years in prison for bribery, is weighing another run for the top office in Connecticut's largest city.

The Democrat announced Thursday on Twitter that he's setting up an exploratory committee for a comeback bid.

Ganim, 55, was convicted of steering city contracts in exchange for wine, clothes, cash and home improvements. He served seven years in prison before his release in 2010.

Ganim has said he would make a better chief executive because of his past and has asked the Democratic Town Committee for support at the party's nominating convention this summer.

In an interview Thursday on the "Chaz & AJ in the Morning" radio show on WPLR-FM, Ganim apologized to the people of Bridgeport.

"I made some serious errors in judgment at that time," he said. "I did break the law and breach the trust and stopped the progress. ... For that, and for all that we've lost collectively, I'm truly sorry."

Democratic Mayor Bill Finch, who is seeking a third term, has urged Ganim to reconsider, saying talk of a comeback bid is scaring away potential investors.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.