Danbury - James Dyer, who served four terms as mayor of Danbury and successfully fought federal corruption charges, has died. He was 64.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said Dyer died of natural causes Tuesday at his home.

"Jim will be missed by myself and the entire community," Boughton told the News-Times of Danbury. "This is a very sad day for the city. His death is a great loss for Danbury."

Dyer ran the city during a major period of growth between 1979 and 1987, which included the building of the Danbury Fair Mall and the construction of Union Carbide's headquarters.

The Democrat's political career was cut short in 1989 when he was indicted on charges he accepted bribes from city developers. He was acquitted of the corruption charges after a much-publicized trial in 1990, but convicted of filing a false tax return. That conviction was overturned on appeal.

"There were plenty of opportunities to settle the case, but he never expressed any interest at all in taking a plea bargain," defense attorney Hugh Keefe said. "He wanted complete vindication and to his credit he got it."

"It took a lot out of Jimmy," Keefe said. "He loved politics but, as a result of that investigation, he quit and never went back."

Dyer served two terms in the Connecticut General Assembly before being elected mayor in 1979 at age 33.

"There was an influx of new businesses, new people, and he got the city to adapt to those changes," said state Rep. Robert Godfrey, D-Danbury.

who represents the 110th District, the same district that Dyer represented in the state House. "He was there with the infrastructure, the sewers, the water, with making sure the new businesses tied into the Danbury labor market."

Dyer is survived by his wife, Alice Dyer, and their four children.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Danbury.

Boughton has ordered flags in the city to fly at half-staff.