Changes Dateline From WATERBURY, Conn. Waterbury, Ct., Mayor Philip Giordano Arrested on Federal Charges, Prosecutor's Office Sa

By Diane Scarponi Associated Press Writer Published: Jul 26, 2001

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Mayor Philip Giordano, who lost the U.S. Senate race to Sen. Joseph Lieberman last year, was arrested Thursday on federal sex charges involving a minor. Giordano, 38, was charged with using an interstate facility to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, and with conspiracy to commit that act.

FBI Special Agent Michael Wolf said there were multiple victims under age 16, but he added that the charges involved only one person. Investigators would not provide any other details.

If convicted, the Republican mayor of the state's fifth-largest city could be sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

FBI agents were searching Giordano's office Thursday morning and interviewing City Hall employees. Repeated calls to the mayor's office and to his spokesman were not returned.

Giordano, who is married and has three children, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport on Thursday and ordered held without bail. He was scheduled to return to court on Tuesday.

The arrest comes as Waterbury grapples with a state takeover of its finances and an estimated $60 million deficit. State overseers earlier this year approved a budget that includes a 30 percent property tax increase and severe cuts in city programs.

Giordano, who was first elected mayor in 1995, made an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate last year against Lieberman, who sought for re-election while running for vice president.

Giordano announced last week he would not seek a fourth two-year term.

AP-ES-07-26-01 1227EDT

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2001