Former Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez sat down on Wednesday for his first TV interview since being released from federal prison in 2022.

Perez said it was a long road that's led from the police department to federal prison and then home again.

"I want to apologize to the good people of the City of Bridgeport. I served this city for almost 38 years," said Perez.

Perez conspired with the city's former civil service director, who was also convicted in connection with the case, to accept help on the police chief's exam.

“It broke my heart when I had to leave," said Perez.

Perez ended up serving eight months in federal prison and lost half of his pension. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the city and do community service.

"I looked at the requirements, and I said, ‘Oh, man, I don't have that big college degree,’" he said.

A man who spent a career helping to put people behind bars was suddenly there himself.

"The first three weeks I was in solitary confinement, by myself, nothing to read; no one to talk to,” Perez said. “The guards wouldn't even talk to you. You would ask them for, say, the time, and they'd ignore you. Asked for water, and they'd ignore you."

Perez lost half of his pension and was ordered to pay restitution to the city and do community service.

He says it feels great to be back home, where he's now working a part-time job.

"I am hoping to do some work in this city and change a lot of lives," said Perez.

He says he's lost some friends but grown closer to others, deepening his appreciation for the simple things.

"I have my life back," he said.

Perez is now looking forward to the future and giving back to the community.