It appears that Mayor Segarra may have something in common with the residents of 68 Scarborough.

Pedro Segarra and his spouse, Charlie Ortiz, live in a home on Prospect Avenue within the R-8 zone. This is the same zone where it is not permitted for more than two unrelated individuals to live together. In terms of regulations, this is the strictest zone in Hartford.

While the family at 68 Scarborough has been fighting its legal battle publicly, garnering international attention, Mayor Segarra has been quiet on the matter, saying little as the Scarborough Street family has been sued by the City of Hartford.

Meanwhile, up the road a piece, there are at least three individuals listing Pedro Segarra and Charlie Ortiz’s address as their own. Delia Rodriguez and Teofilo Ortiz, retirees who both donated significant sums to the Segarra campaign, are other apparent occupants of the home.

Teofilo Ortiz is reported to have donated to the Segarra campaign, showing that as of July 18, 2015, he was using the Prospect Avenue address as his own:

Rodriguez’s name appeared multiple times in the most recent Campaign Finance Disclosure Statement:

 

 

Essentially, this means that on multiple occasions she has claimed to reside at the same place as Segarra and Charlie Ortiz.

Additionally, Stephen G. Sullivan is documented as being a registered voter living at this address. According to the Absentee Ballot Count Report for the September 16th primary, he was issued a ballot:

The Segarra Campaign’s press contact, when asked about the relation of these individuals to Segarra and Ortiz, said that she knows the mayor and his husband “rent out an apartment above their garage,” but would have to get back later about the tenant’s name.

It seems that an official statement/explanation of how tenants are related should take no more than two minutes, but hours later, we’re still waiting to learn the precise relation of people occupying the same property.

It is a violation to rent apartments, rent rooms or charge board, in this zone, to individuals who are not related to the homeowner. If more than two of these individuals are not related to either Pedro Segarra or Charlie Ortiz, then they are violating the definition of “family,” just like the folks on Scarborough Street.

If those individuals are not all living at the home, then this raises questions about the accuracy of information contained in campaign filings and the voter rolls.

Coincidentally, there are two resolutions on tonight’s City Council agenda dealing the definition of “family”; one would amend Municipal Code and the other would recommend to the Planning & Zoning Commission to adopt a “functional family” definition.