Ganim, Finch, Newton and Malloy -- all in one room

Ex-Mayor-turned-felon Joseph Ganim chats with Rosaline Mallory Thursday morning, Feb. 5, 2015 at East End Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Conn. Ganim, who is weighing running for his old job, was there to support a proposal by Gov. Dannel Malloy that will help non-violent offenders return to society. less Ex-Mayor-turned-felon Joseph Ganim chats with Rosaline Mallory Thursday morning, Feb. 5, 2015 at East End Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Conn. Ganim, who is weighing running for his old job, was there to support ... more Photo: Brian Lockhart Buy photo Photo: Brian Lockhart Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Ganim, Finch, Newton and Malloy -- all in one room 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT -- A popular mayor toppled by corruption and a governor offering nonviolent offenders redemption walked into the East End Baptist Church on Thursday morning.

And it's a shame the former mayor, Joseph Ganim, left before hearing what fellow Democrats Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Mayor Bill Finch told the audience about Malloy's plans to help certain felons re-enter society.

Ganim, many believe, is seriously considering challenging Finch for his old job despite having gone to prison for selling the mayor's office to the highest bidder.

He would have walked out of East End Baptist on Thursday emboldened and with a fair share of campaign propaganda, even if that was far from what those gathered intended.

"When it comes to second chances, if you think about it, Bridgeport is a second-chance city," Finch told the small crowd of city and state officials, community leaders and parishioners.

He was at first referring to Bridgeport's efforts to move beyond its industrial past, touting his own work to transition Connecticut's largest city into the 21st century economy.

But then Finch pivoted to Malloy's criminal justice reforms, released Tuesday, that would reduce penalties for drug possession and expand the pardon system so more felons can cleanse their criminal records.

"I'm a firm believer in second chances," Finch said.

Forgiveness was in the air. So was irony.

As he spoke, Finch sat just feet away from a podium where Ganim offered a New Year's Day apology to a welcoming black congregation that was considered the kickoff of his comeback campaign.

Finch at one point, without any indication he was intentionally referring to Ganim's mea culpa, said, "We've all faltered and we know this is a good place to be if you've admitted you've faltered."

"Yes," chimed in the Rev. Charlie Stallworth, pastor of East End Baptist and a state representative friendly with Ganim. "An ideal place."

And since Finch, who is seeking a third term, recently said Ganim and other public officials convicted of corruption should be prevented from again running for office, it was difficult for some at East End Baptist to reconcile that position with the mayor's comments Thursday.

"I think the mayor is a great guy," said Rosalind Mallory, a church member who was chatting with Ganim before the event with Malloy began. "But don't put your finger in other people's eye because it's karma. ... By that judgment you'll be judged."

Newton's law

Ex-state Sen. Ernest Newton is not exactly the best person to represent granting felons second chances.

Having also served time for abusing his office, Newton now faces sentencing after he was convicted Jan. 16 on three charges of illegal practices in campaign financing related to his failed 2012 comeback legislative campaign.

But like Ganim, Newton is still thought highly-of by many in the East End and other of Bridgeport's lower-income neighborhoods.

"Bill Finch is a hypocrite," said Newton. "(He) wants to pick and choose what those `second chances' are."

One of the main goals of Malloy's proposed reforms is to remove the stigma that can prevent offenders from securing employment and doing other things that keep them out of the prison system.

"If you make it impossible for someone to contribute to society through their employment," Malloy, a former prosecutor, said Thursday, "don't be surprised if they are forced into a life of crime, or petty crime at least."

That was not the case with Ganim, who seemingly had it all -- a successful career and growing family -- and went to jail for coveting more. Ganim was convicted in 2003 on federal corruption charges for steering city contracts in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in wine, custom clothes, cash and home improvements.

Released in 2010, Ganim over the past few months has been attending events, particularly within Bridgeport's African-American and Hispanic communities, and making phone calls to potential political allies, testing the waters for a mayoral bid. When he attended the New Year's Day event at East End Baptist, Ganim delivered what could easily have been mistaken as a re-election speech, touting his achievements as mayor.

But what made it even more noteworthy was Ganim, who had never pleaded guilty and for years been accused of showing little to no remorse, took the opportunity to say, "I'm truly sorry."

The Ganim factor

Ganim so far has made no effort to put an end to the speculation about his political ambitions.

Ganim ducked out of Thursday's event after telling a Hearst reporter seeking an interview that he was briefly stepping away.

In a statement afterward, Ganim said, "I was invited and attended to support the governor's Second Chance initiative and applaud his leadership on this."

"I, unfortunately, also had another commitment that prevented me from staying," Ganim said.

One attendee who has worked with felons said in an interview that Ganim should have the right to run for mayor.

"And, hopefully, Bridgeport people would be smart enough not to elect him," said this individual, who did not want his name published because the issue is so politically sensitive.

"It is a very bad message to the state of Connecticut," this person said. "Bridgeport has taken raps for years about corrupt government and we've got a pretty clean government right now."

Finch spokesman Brett Broesder, seen briefly exchanging pleasantries Thursday with the departing Ganim, said afterward that the mayor believes in second chances.

"But we need to set people re-entering our community up for success," Broesder said. "So sex offenders shouldn't work in a day care, and corrupt politicians shouldn't work in government. Elected officials who commit crimes against the public's trust shouldn't be allowed to run again. It's common-sense, and will help protect taxpayers from future harm."

brian.lockhart@scni.com; 203-414-0712; http://twitter.com/blockhart1