New London - Mayoral candidate Rob Pero has for the second time in a week, accused his Democratic opponent of failing to comply with state election financial reporting requirements.

But Daryl Justin Finizio shot back saying his report is complete and if there are clerical errors they will be corrected. He said his campaign director is a friend and a volunteer and has never participated in a campaign before. "Basic clerical and technical errors are commonplace,'' he said.

Pero, a Republican city councilor, issued a news release last Wednesday saying that Finizio failed to file a report that covers the six days from the end of the last filing period, Sept. 30, through Oct. 10.

"The cavalier attitude and incompetence displayed by the Finizio Campaign in handling Financial Disclosure Reports clearly shows that Mr. Finizio is not ready to properly manage the $80 million city budget,'' Pero said in the release. "The lack of professionalism is alarming and is indicative of Mr. Finizio's disregard for Connecticut State law."

Finizio, who won the Democratic primary in September, had the option of filing two financial statements that cover that period, or combining them, according the Secretary of the State's office.

The cover page of Finizio's campaign finance disclosure form filed in City Hall lists the period covered through Sept. 30. But subsequent pages show transactions through Oct. 10.

Finizio called Pero, who has been on the council for 16 years, a champion of Fort Trumbull and eminent domain who does not want to talk about his record.

"He's trying to do anything to break out of the pack and tear me down. On the issues he's losing.

"His overreaction is obvious,'' Finizio said. "He's deflecting attention from his record, to try to make a big to-do about nothing."

Last week Pero accused Finizio of being sloppy or incompetent when he filed the Oct. 10 financial report that that listed zeros in many of the lines. Finizo said he had computer issues and filed an amended form Oct. 14.

Pero also issued a news release asking Finizio to a one-on-one debate.

Finizio, who said Pero never contacted him directly about a debate, declined and added that there are four other candidates in the race.

"Pero and I have debated three times already, and we are already scheduled for debates with all the candidates,'' Finizo said. "I believe that the debates I have agreed to are adequate and the fairest way to proceed for all candidates."

k.edgecomb@theday.com