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.