Pricey Arena Negotiations

The mayor of Hartford, Conn., is facing a fine for holding a string of closed-door meetings with a city arena planning group, according to the state’s Freedom of Information Commission.

Mayor Eddie Perez reportedly invited business leaders and local and state officials to city hall to discuss the development of a new arena in April, even sending out a press release regarding the development.

When the public and Hartford Courant were barred from attending the initial meeting and subsequent ones thereafter, the commission concluded the city had violated the Freedom of Information Act.

Perez is looking at a $500 fine and has been encouraged to attend seminars on the state’s public information laws, the Courant reported.