Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jun 2006
Source: Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT)
Copyright: 2006sMediaNews Group, Inc
Contact:  http://www.connpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/574
Author: Bill Cummings
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

MAYOR ADMITS COCAINE USE IN SPEECH TO CITY EMPLOYEES

BRIDGEPORT -- Amid a few boos and much stronger applause, Mayor John 
M. Fabrizi on Tuesday stood before more than 200 city employees and 
residents and admitted he used cocaine in the past.

"I am sorry if I have, in any way, hurt the dignity of this office. I 
will do everything I can to regain the respect and support of the 
people of this city," Fabrizi said during an emotional address in 
which he choked up several times.

Referring specifically to his past drug use, Fabrizi said flatly, 
"Over the course of a number of years I abused alcohol and used 
cocaine occasionally."

Admitting he used cocaine during his time in office as both City 
Council president and later as mayor, he said he has not used drugs 
in 18 months.

Tears running down his cheeks, Fabrizi said he sought help for a drug 
addiction and had hoped that he could handle it privately.

During an interview Monday with the Connecticut Post editorial board, 
Fabrizi said he quit using cocaine at the end of 2004, and stopped 
drinking this year. He was elected in the fall of 2003.

The admission followed the release of FBI documents in which an 
alleged drug dealer claimed an associate had a videotape of the mayor 
using cocaine. Fabrizi, a Democrat who took office after Joseph Ganim 
was convicted of corruption in 2003, said he hopes to move forward 
and continue running Connecticut's largest city.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman