Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti said Thursday he will not run for governor.
Saying the corruption trial involving developer James Botti took a toll on the city and on himself, Lauretti pulled the plug on his run for the state's highest office, saying he would not run in this election cycle.
"While my message of fiscal restraint and proven track record as Mayor of one of the state's most financially vibrant and livable cities has clearly resonated, I have reluctantly decided that now is not the time for me to run for governor," Lauretti said in a statement.
The mayor's name had come up several times during the corruption trial of James Botti. Prosecutors say Botti bribed Lauretti with cash payments totaling thousands of dollars, but Lauretti has denied any wrongdoing in the case, and has never been charged. A judge declared a mistrial on the bribery charges against Botti in April.
"The trial of James Botti and the long-term federal investigation of the City of Shelton were difficult for Shelton residents and public officials in this city, including me," Lauretti said. "The integrity of our system of government in Shelton was put on trial."
