SHELTON, Conn. -- A federal prosecutor said a developer paid tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti to win approval for his project.

Prosecutor Richard Schechter said Monday during opening statements in James Botti's federal corruption trial in New Haven that Botti paid about $20,000 for repairs to Lauretti's home and gave him cash from a safe where he kept hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The comments marked the first time authorities identified Lauretti as the official Botti allegedly bribed.

Botti's attorney, William Dow III, said the two men are childhood friends and there were no bribes.

Lauretti has been mayor for 20 years and has expressed interest in running for governor. He has not been charged.

Botti is charged with several crimes including bribery of a public official, mail fraud and making false statements.