Inadvertently "outed" by prosecutors investigating local drug dealers, Bridgeport, Conn., Mayor John M. Fabrizi acknowledged battling addictions to alcohol and cocaine since he took office in 2003, the New York Times reported June 20.

The U.S. Attorney's office in New Haven issued an apology after accidentally publicizing information about Fabrizi's involvement in a drug investigation, saying the document should have remained sealed. After a local newspaper ran a story on the court filing, Fabrizi called a press conference where he emotionally admitted using cocaine while in office and detailed an ongoing struggle with alcohol abuse.

Fabrizi said that he has been sober for four months, but said he was wrong to keep his addiction from the public. "I have put this personal struggle behind me, and it has never, ever affected my job performance," he said. "I thought that these were personal and private matters to me and my family; that I can deal with these issues with my family and myself. I now recognize my actions affected many others and I want to apologize to my family, my friends and all the people of the city of Bridgeport for my actions -- my past actions."

The Bridgeport mayor added that he had sought treatment for addiction and had not used illicit drugs for 18 months. Fabrizi said he would not resign, but rather would work to "regain the respect and support of the people of the city" and to make the public "aware that even people in my position can become a victim of drugs or alcohol."

Fabrizi got a standing ovation after reading his statement. "I think we can all relate to it," said Jill Bruno, Bridgeport's director of veterans affairs. "I have some family members with addiction problems and it hit home. I don't know too many mayors who stand up in front of a crowd and cry and pour their heart out to the city."