View source for John G. Rowland

{{short description|Former governor of Connecticut and convicted felon}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = John Rowland
| image               = John Rowland (cropped).jpg
| order               = 86th [[List of governors of Connecticut|Governor of Connecticut]]
| lieutenant          = Jodi Rell
| term_start          = January 4, 1995
| term_end            = July 1, 2004
| predecessor         = [[Lowell Weicker]]
| successor           = [[Jodi Rell]]
| state1              = [[Connecticut]]
| district1           = {{ushr|CT|5|5th}}
| term_start1         = January 3, 1985
| term_end1           = January 3, 1991
| predecessor1        = [[William R. Ratchford]]
| successor1          = [[Gary Franks]]
| state_house2        = Connecticut
| district2           = 73rd
| term_start2         = 1981
| term_end2           = 1985
| predecessor2        = Natalie Rapoport
| successor2          = [[Joan Hartley]]
| birth_name          = John Grosvenor Rowland
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1957|5|24}}
| birth_place         = [[Waterbury, Connecticut|Waterbury]], [[Connecticut]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = Deborah Rowland (Divorced)<br>Patty Rowland
| children            = 5
| education           = [[Villanova University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
}}
'''John Grosvenor Rowland''' (born May 24, 1957) is an American politician, author, and convicted felon who served as the [[List of Governors of Connecticut|86th]] [[Governor of Connecticut]] from 1995 to 2004. He served two nonconsecutive prison terms on various corruption charges.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/nyregion/john-rowland-of-connecticut-sentenced-to-prison.html?rref=collection/timestopic/Rowland,%20John%20G.&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection|title=Judge Sends Rowland, Ex-Connecticut Governor, Back to Prison|access-date=2018-11-19|language=en}}</ref>  A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], Rowland previously served in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1985 to 1991, representing the state's 5th district. In 2004, Rowland resigned from office during a corruption investigation, and later pleaded guilty in federal court to a one-count indictment for conspiracy to commit [[honest services fraud]], [[mail fraud]] and [[tax fraud]].<ref>[http://library.findlaw.com/2002/Jul/8/132494.html Honest Services Mail Fraud] defined and discussed at Findlaw.com. Accessed March 17, 2008.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/Press2004/20041223.html|title=US Dept of Justice Press Release|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> He was the first Connecticut governor to be elected to three terms since 1784.

He served ten months in a federal prison until February 10, 2006, followed by four months' [[house arrest]] at his home in [[West Hartford, Connecticut]], until June 2006. His [[Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut|lieutenant governor]], [[M. Jodi Rell]], replaced him as governor.

On April 10, 2014, Rowland was indicted on seven counts for his role in an election fraud case where former congressional candidate [[Lisa Wilson-Foley]], current Vice Chair of [[the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts]] and her husband, Brian Foley, pleaded guilty in federal court on March 31, 2014 to illegally paying Rowland $35,000 in campaign consulting fees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-foley-sentencing-rowland-1231-20141230-story.html/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323170230/http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-foley-sentencing-rowland-1231-20141230-story.html|url-status=dead|title=Feds Want Prison For Lisa Wilson-Foley In Rowland Case/|archive-date=March 23, 2016|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> He was charged with two counts of falsifying records in a federal investigation, one count of conspiracy, two counts of causing false statements to be made to the FEC, and two counts of causing illegal campaign contributions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/10/ex-connecticut-gov-john-rowland-indicted-in-alleged-campaign-scheme/|title=Ex-Connecticut Gov. John Rowland Indicted In Alleged Campaign Scheme|date=April 10, 2014|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> He was convicted on all seven counts in September 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ex-conn-governor-john-rowland-convicted-conspiracy-charges-article-1.1945899|title=Ex-Conn. Governor John Rowland convicted of conspiracy charges|last=ASSOCIATED PRESS|website=nydailynews.com|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> and was subsequently sentenced to 30 months in prison on March 18, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahony|first=Edmund|url=http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-john-rowland-sentenced-20150318-story.html#page=1|title=Ex-Governor John Rowland Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison|newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]]|date=March 18, 2015|access-date=April 25, 2015}}</ref>

He is married to Patty Rowland, his second wife, and the couple has five children between them.

== Early political career==
[[File:Reagan Contact Sheet C26149 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Rowland greeting [[President of the United States|President]] [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1984]]
[[File:John G. Rowland 1990 congressional photo.jpg|thumb|John G. Rowland 1989 congressional photo]]
Rowland's political career began in 1980 when, at age 23, he was elected to the [[Connecticut House of Representatives|Connecticut State House of Representatives]]. He held his seat until 1984, when he was elected to represent [[Connecticut's 5th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]] and was reelected in 1986 and 1988.

== Consulting career ==
After losing the 1990 gubernatorial race to [[Lowell P. Weicker Jr.]], Rowland worked as a consultant for [[United Technologies]] Corp.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=John |title=A Peek Behind The Scenes With Governor John Rowland |url=http://www.waterburyobserver.org/wod7/node/2296 |website=waterburyobserver.org |publisher=The Waterbury Observer |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

==Tenure as Governor==
[[File:Governor John Rowland (CT) signing Proclaimation making September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.jpg|thumb|Governor John Rowland (CT) signing Proclamation making September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month]]
Rowland was later elected governor in 1994 at age 37 (the youngest governor in Connecticut history) and later defeated two Democratic opponents: former US Congresswoman [[Barbara Bailey Kennelly]] (63%–35%) in 1998 and former State [[Comptroller]] [[Bill Curry (politician)|Bill Curry]] (56%–44%) in 2002.

The Adriaen's Landing project, the most ambitious capital city development project in decades in the state, continued to progress during Rowland's time in office. On Rowland's watch the state paid $37 million to [[TBI Construction]] to relocate [[Connecticut Natural Gas]] headquarters to East Hartford to make room for the development, TBI would later be at the center of the scandal that brought the Governor down.<ref>{{cite web |title=FBI probe focuses on CNG relocation in Adriaen's Landing project |url=http://connecticut.news12.com/story/34861651/fbi-probe-focuses-on-cng-relocation-in-adriaens-landing-project |website=connecticut.news12.com |publisher=News 12 |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> 

In 1997 Rowland was the subject of the '''Geargate''' political scandal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leigh Cowan |first1=Alison |title=Political Memo; The Antagonist Who Barraged Rowland With Criticism |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/29/nyregion/political-memo-the-antagonist-who-barraged-rowland-with-criticism.html?mtrref=www.google.com |website=nytimes.com |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>  Surplus military equipment intended for the [[Connecticut State Police]] was diverted by Rowland and close associates for their personal use. Equipment and apparel including sleeping bags, camouflage jackets, helmets, and a bayonet made their way into the hands of Rowland's children, his staff, his security detail, and the husband of then Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell. The diversion was organized by corrupt State Trooper Eugene D’Angelo and was uncovered through a joint State Police and Department of Defense investigation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lender |first1=Jon |title=SURPLUS GEAR WENT TO ROWLAND'S CHILDREN, STAFF |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-05-22-9705220328-story.html |website=courant.com |publisher=Hartford Courant |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

In 1998, Rowland implemented the [[Husky (disambiguation)|HUSKY Plan]] (Healthcare for UninSured Kids and Youth) to provide [[health insurance]] to uninsured Connecticut children. During his tenure, the budget for the [[Connecticut Department of Children and Families|Department of Children and Families]] more than doubled. Rowland supported addition to government of the state's first Child Advocate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ct.gov/governorrowland/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=260294&governorrowlandNav=%7CState|title=Governor Rowland: Governor John G. Rowland Biography|website=www.ct.gov|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>

Rowland was a strong proponent of a tough stance against [[violent crime]] as governor. The prison population grew rapidly during his term, which caused the state to send inmates to prisons in [[Virginia]] to deal with [[Private prison|overcrowding]]. Legislative opponents of this policy such as Representative [[Michael Lawlor]] urged more rapid release of nonviolent offenders.<ref>[http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10094416&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=31007&rfi=8 News Item] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003651/http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10094416&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=31007&rfi=8 |date=September 28, 2007 }}, New Haven Register.</ref> After Rowland left office the Virginia inmates were returned to Connecticut and more criminals were paroled.<ref>[http://www.pewpublicsafety.org/pdfs/Connecticut%20Case%20Study%202-22-07.pdf Public Safety Performance] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127094324/http://www.pewpublicsafety.org/pdfs/Connecticut%20Case%20Study%202-22-07.pdf |date=November 27, 2007 }} produced by the [[Pew Center on the States]].</ref> This approach was criticized after the [[Cheshire, Connecticut, home invasion murders|2007 Cheshire home invasion murders]] committed by two "nonviolent" inmates paroled from Connecticut prison.<ref>[http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hc-parole0801.artaug01,0,3665655.story?coll=hc_tab01_layout Parole] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929114942/http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hc-parole0801.artaug01%2C0%2C3665655.story?coll=hc_tab01_layout |date=September 29, 2007 }} at Courant.com</ref>

In early 1998, Rowland outlined plans to make [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] an educational, cultural, and entertainment center.<ref name=burns>{{cite web |last1=Burns |first1=Peter |url=https://www.trincoll.edu/UrbanGlobal/CUGS/Faculty/research/Documents/The%20Intergovernmental%20Regime%20and%20Public%20Policy%20in%20Hartford,%20Connecticut.pdf |website=trincoll.edu |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> He outlined a "Six Pillars of Progress" initiative which included the construction of a convention center, a higher education center, parking garages, housing, riverfront redevelopment, and the renovation of the [[XL Center|Hartford Civic Center]].<ref name=burns/> By In May of 1998, the [[Connecticut General Assembly]] had authorized an initial $300 million to implement his [[urban renewal]] plan.<ref name=burns/> Rowland established the Capital City Economic Development Authority, a quasi-state entity to oversee the implementation of his plan.<ref name=burns/> Projects completed under this plan included the construction of Adriaen's Landing and other work on improving the riverfront, renovation of the former [[G. Fox & Co.]] department store so that it could house the new location of [[Capital Community College]], and the [[Connecticut Convention Center]].<ref name=burns/>

In 2002 Lawrence Alibozek, former deputy chief of staff to the Governor, pleaded guilty to steering State contracts to the [[Tomasso Group]], a contractor heavily involved with Rowland and his campaigns.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Altimari |first1=Dave |title=Rowland's Troubles Began Two Years Ago With Subpoena Delivered To His Office About State Contract With Tomasso |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/hc-rowland-path-0605-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> The Tomasso Group's relationship with Rowland included more than $500,000 in legal campaign contributuins as well as hosting the Governor's birthday at their [[Tunxis Country Club]].<ref name="Register Citizen 2004">{{cite web |last1=Christoffersen |first1=John |title=Bill Tomasso's fortunes soared with Rowland's |url=https://www.registercitizen.com/news/article/Bill-Tomasso-s-fortunes-soared-with-Rowland-s-12134724.php |website=registercitizen.com |publisher=The Register Citizen |access-date=3 June 2019}}</ref>

In 2003 Governor Rowland dismissed 2,800 state workers thus violating their union contracts. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City ruled in 2013 that the former Republican governor's administration had violated the workers right to freedom of association. Many workers were eventually rehired or otherwise partially compensated. "They lost benefits, they lost pension, they lost health insurance," creating "real interference" with people's lives, said Union Attorney David Golub.<ref>[http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com] | April 28, 2015 | Settlement reached in 2003 Connecticut layoff lawsuit | SUSAN HAIGH Associated Press | [http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-settlement-reached-in-2003-connecticut-layoff-2015apr28-story.html]</ref>

Before investigation into his conduct as governor started, Rowland was viewed as a rising star in the Republican Party, and was mentioned as a future presidential or vice-presidential candidate.<ref>[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/john_g_rowland/index.html?offset=150&&|John G. Rowland News: Topical Coverage], New York Times</ref>

Rowland resigned abruptly as Governor, July 13, 2004 as he faced impeachment and investigation for corruption. Lieutenant Governor M. Jodi Rell served out the remainder of his term. Rowland is the first Connecticut governor to have ever faced impeachment and he is the only Connecticut governor to have served prison time.

==Corruption as Governor==

===Impeachment===
In the first year of Rowland's third term (2003), rumors began circulating that contractors doing business with the state, primarily the [[Tomasso Group]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mehren |first1=Elizabeth |title=Hot Seat Is Getting Hotter for Governor |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-21-na-rowland21-story.html |website=latimes.com |publisher=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> paid for and made improvements to his private weekend home. 

However, in December 2003, Rowland abruptly appeared on television and admitted that work had been done by contractors on his vacation home at no charge, and that his earlier statements to the contrary were untrue. He claimed that, since the work was done, he had paid the contractors in full; but in January 2004 an official investigation began into charges of corruption and whether he should face [[impeachment]].<ref>{{cite news | publisher = washingtonpost.com | date = June 22, 2004 | title = Connecticut Governor Resigns, Rowland Was Facing Impeachment Move | author = Michael Powell, Washington Post Staff Writer | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57561-2004Jun21.html}}</ref>

On June 18, the [[Connecticut Supreme Court]] required Rowland to appear before the investigative panel seeking his testimony, which could have resulted in him giving evidence against impeachment in the ongoing criminal investigation. On June 21, Rowland resigned, effective noon on July 1, 2004.<ref>{{cite news | publisher = washingtonpost.com | date = December 24, 2004 | title = Former Connecticut Governor Pleads Guilty, Rowland Accepted Thousands of Dollars in Trips and Home Improvements While in Office | author = Jonathan Finer, Washington Post Staff Writer | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21937-2004Dec23.html}}</ref>

=== Patty Rowland's poem ===
Matters were exacerbated when the First Lady of Connecticut, Patty Rowland, wrote a satirical poem deriding the media for investigating her husband's wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edition |first1=Print |title=A tale of a hot-tub |url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2004/06/24/a-tale-of-a-hot-tub |website=economist.com |publisher=The Economist |access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> The poem, a parody of the classic [[A Visit From St. Nicholas]], was read by the First Lady at the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 17, 2003.  The poem was published in its entirety in the [[New York Times]] the following day.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/18/nyregion/and-a-lump-of-coal-for-all-the-reporters.html First Lady Patty Rowland's poem] at The New York Times.</ref>

===Conviction===
On December 23, 2004, Rowland pleaded guilty to [[honest services fraud|depriving the public of honest service]]. Rowland was sentenced on March 18, 2005, in [[New Haven, Connecticut]], to one year and one day in prison, four months' [[house arrest]], three years' [[probation]] and community service. On April 1, 2005, he entered [[Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto]], in [[Pennsylvania]]. His federal inmate number was 15623-014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21937-2004Dec23.html|title=Former Connecticut Governor Pleads Guilty (washingtonpost.com)|website=www.washingtonpost.com|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | publisher = foxnews.com | date = January 14, 2015 | title = Ex-Gov. Rowland Pleads Guilty to Corruption | author = Associated Press | url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/ex-gov-rowland-pleads-guilty-to-corruption}}</ref>

===After release===
On February 10, 2006, Rowland was released from federal prison with the stipulation that he serve four months' house arrest with an [[Ankle monitor|electronic ankle bracelet monitor]].

On July 1, 2006, Rowland spoke to an association of scholar athletes in [[Kingston, Rhode Island]], about the lessons he learned.
A "sense of [[entitlement]]" and the "[[Hubris|arrogance of power]]" were two of the biggest things that ended his political career, ''[[The Hartford Courant]]'' quoted him as saying.<ref name="HCLESSONS">[https://archive.today/20130120011904/http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-rowland0702.artjul02,0,3640450,print.story?coll=hc-headlines-local Rowland Recounts Lessons Learned] [[Hartford Courant]], by Valerie Finholm, Courant staff writer July 2, 2006.</ref>

He warned that the [[Victory disease|arrogance]] is very easy when you're put on a pedestal, and you "start to believe your own press releases. ... It [becomes] all about me. You start to block out what else is around you."<ref name="HCLESSONS"/>

The Courant quoted Rowland as saying that "when you start to find yourself only concerned with yourself" that's the point when you need to find a "grounding force." That should be faith, ideally, he said, or at least "something within yourself"—not just other people.<ref name="HCLESSONS"/>

"I found in my career that a lot of people will tell you how great you are—especially when you're the boss. But there will be that time when that career will be over ... and then it's down to the three F's—faith, family and friends{{spaced ndash}}real faith, real family and real friends."<ref name="HCLESSONS"/>

Rowland, now a resident of West Hartford, told the audience his future is still uncertain. He owes the [[Internal Revenue Service]] more than $35,000 and another $40,000 in fines. He said he's a volunteer counselor and hoping to find a publisher for a book he wrote called ''Falling Into Grace.''<ref>[https://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2006/07/01/former_conn_governor_makes_his_first_speech_after_prison?mode=PF Former Conn. governor makes his first speech after prison] by Ray Henry, Associated Press Writer, July 1, 2006, accessed from Web site of the Boston Globe on July 2, 2006.</ref>

In September 2006, local TV station [[WTNH]], reported that Patty Rowland had purchased a house in [[Middlebury, Connecticut]], and the Rowland family would be moving to that town.<ref>[https://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/09/28/rowland_now_a_homeowner_in_middlebury/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News+%2F+Local Rowland now a homeowner in Middlebury] at Boston.com</ref>

Rowland discussed his life after politics in a ''[[Washington Post]]'' article published June 17, 2007. Rowland discussed his work on the lecture circuit and the factors leading to his political demise. He also expressed disappointment that his successor, Governor [[M. Jodi Rell]] had "thrown him under the bus" and distanced herself from him after taking office.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/16/AR2007061601331.html A Look Back, And Up: An Ex-Gov. and Ex-Con Reflects on Three Terms In Office and One in Jail], June 16, 2007, [[Washington Post]].</ref> Rell declined to criticize Rowland over these remarks.<ref>[http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/general_news/rell_on_rowland_and_the_budget.php Rell on Rowland and the Budget] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928031837/http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/general_news/rell_on_rowland_and_the_budget.php |date=September 28, 2007 }}, June 18, 2007.</ref>

In January 2008 Waterbury Republican Mayor [[Michael Jarjura]] announced that he would hire Rowland as an economic development advisor for the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-rowlandjob-0122,0,7112712.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125024207/http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-rowlandjob-0122%2C0%2C7112712.storyurl-status=dead|title=Rowland Job|archive-date=January 25, 2008|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> Rowland began work in February and received an annual salary of $95,000 as the city's economic development coordinator.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/24colct.html For Rowland, Second Chance of a Lifetime], by Woody Hochschwender, ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 24, 2008.</ref> Rowland's stint as Waterbury's economic development coordinator ended in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ct5thdistrict.registercitizen.com/2012/06/25/editorial-did-rowland-have-no-show-job-or-is-waterbury-violating-foia/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=April 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407092421/http://ct5thdistrict.registercitizen.com/2012/06/25/editorial-did-rowland-have-no-show-job-or-is-waterbury-violating-foia/ |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Radio show===
From 2010 until 2014, Rowland hosted the afternoon show on Hartford's [[WTIC (AM)|WTIC]] (1080).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://connecticut.cbslocal.com/audio-on-demand/wtics-state-and-church/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909114346/http://connecticut.cbslocal.com/audio-on-demand/wtics-state-and-church/ |archive-date=September 9, 2012 }}</ref>

On April 1, 2014, Connecticut governor [[Dannel P. Malloy]] called on WTIC to remove Rowland from the air due to Rowland's implication in a corruption scandal involving former Congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley. Malloy stated: "The reality is that we now know enough—two people have pled guilty to this charge and have identified the party they were engaged with ... unless there's going to be a denial and in light of two actual pleas, both identifying who the third party was, I think any reasonable outlet would remove him at this point […] He had the interesting position of trying to impact and influence political discourse on an afternoon radio show. That somebody would violate that trust as well, is disturbing." <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/wtic_to_air_rowlands_show_despite_calls_to_the_contrary/|title=WTIC Airs Rowland’s Show Despite Calls To The Contrary|website=CT News Junkie|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> Rowland has often criticized Malloy since the latter took office in 2011. On one occasion, Rowland labeled Malloy a "pathological liar," although he later apologized to Malloy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2011-07-07-hc-malloy-rowland-0708-20110707-story.html|title=Rowland Apologizes For Calling Malloy A Pathological Liar|first=CHRISTOPHER|last=KEATING|website=courant.com|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>

On April 3, 2014, Rowland announced that he was leaving as WTIC's afternoon talk-show host "to take care of some personal issues," he said just before 6 p.m, at the end of his regular three-hour time slot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.ctnews.com/dixon/2014/04/03/you-cant-make-this-stuff-up-rowlands-personal-issues-pile-up-he-leaves-wtic-amid-guilty-pleas-for-conspiracy-in-which-he-was-the-alleged-third-party/|title=“You Can’t Make This Stuff Up?” Rowland’s “personal issues” pile up. He leaves WTIC amid guilty pleas for conspiracy in which he was the alleged third party|first1=Ken|last1=Dixon|date=April 3, 2014|website=Ken Dixon's Blog-O-Rama|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>

== Wilson-Foley campaign ==
On March 31, 2014, husband and wife Brian and Lisa Wilson-Foley, the Vice Chair of [[the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts]] Board of Trustees, pleaded guilty in federal court to corruption charges for illegally paying and afterwards hiding campaign consulting fees to the former governor, who is widely considered the main target for the federal probers. In 2012, Wilson-Foley ran for Congress in Connecticut 5th district. Rowland secretly served as a consultant to her campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2014-03-31-hc-rowland-0401-20140330-story.html|title=Foleys Plead Guilty In Campaign Scheme Linked To Rowland|first1=Edmund H.|last1=Mahony|first2=Jon|last2=Lender|website=Hartford Courant|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>

On September 8, Lisa Wilson-Foley's husband, Brian Foley, told the jury that his wife had signed a fictional contract with Rowland to create the impression that Rowland was working for a group of nursing homes Foley owned. Instead, Rowland was providing political advice. Despite the statement, Rowland's lawyers insisted that the client was a campaign volunteer and that he was paid for giving Foley advice on his healthcare business, not for being a political consultant.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Weinzel|first1=Richard|title=Ex-Connecticut Governor Rowland cut phony consulting deal: witness|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/08/us-usa-connecticut-rowland-idUSKBN0H321X20140908|website=Reuters|access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref> Shortly thereafter on September 16, first defense witness Bedard testified in accord with this line of defense. Bedard claims directly countered prosecutor's charges whereby he states that Rowland: ""The healthcare and nursing home industry was changing and Brian hired him as a consultant to help us move forward," Bedard testified: "The healthcare and nursing home industry was changing and Brian [Foley] hired him [Rowland] as a consultant to help us move forward. ... He knew the politics and practical ways to speed along Medicaid payments that were often delayed by between nine months to a year."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Weizel|first1=Richard|title=Connecticut ex-governor opens defense in campaign law trial|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/15/us-usa-connecticut-rowland-idUSKBN0HA2EB20140915|access-date=15 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | publisher = justice.gov | date = March 18, 2015 | title = Former Governor Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison For Illegal Activity In Two Congressional Campaigns | author = Tom Carson, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, District of Connecticut | url = https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/former-governor-sentenced-30-months-prison-illegal-activity-two-congressional-campaigns}}</ref>

On September 19, 2014 Rowland was convicted on federal charges that he conspired to hide payment for his work on two congressional campaigns. He was convicted in New Haven federal court of all seven counts, including conspiracy, falsifying records in a federal investigation, causing false statements to be made to the Federal Election Commission and causing illegal campaign contributions. On March 18, 2015 Rowland was sentenced to prison for 30 months by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton.<ref name="courant.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-john-rowland-sentenced-20150318-story.html|title=Ex-Governor John Rowland Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison|first=Edmund H.|last=Mahony|website=Hartford Courant|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> Judge Arterton also fined Rowland $35,000 and ordered him to serve three years of supervision by the federal probation office upon his release.<ref name="courant.com"/> Rowland turned down the opportunity to speak and is planning on appealing the sentence. His conviction was upheld by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City on June 17, 2016. Rowland served less than the full 30-month term and was released from federal custody on May 26, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Former-governor-John-Rowland-released-from-12945965.php|title=Former Gov. John Rowland released from federal custody|date=May 26, 2018|website=Connecticut Post|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin | title=Connecticut Gubernatorial Election 1990}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = A Connecticut Party
  |candidate  = [[Lowell Weicker]]
  |votes      = 460,576
  |percentage = 40.36
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = John Rowland
  |votes      = 427,840
  |percentage = 37.49
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party        = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Bruce Morrison]]
  |votes      = 236,641
  |percentage = 20.74
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Connecticut Gubernatorial Election 1994}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = John Rowland
  |votes      = 415,201
  |percentage = 36.20
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Bill Curry (politician)|Bill Curry]]
  |votes      = 375,133
  |percentage = 32.70
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party      = A Connecticut Party
  |candidate  = [[Eunice Groark|Eunice Strong Groark]]
  |votes      = 216,585
  |percentage = 18.88
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party      = Independent (politician)|A Connecticut Party
  |candidate  = [[Tom Scott (politician)|Tom Scott]]
  |votes      = 130,128
  |percentage = 11.34
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Connecticut Gubernatorial Election 1998}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = John Rowland (incumbent)
  |votes      = 628,707
  |percentage = 62.90
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Barbara B. Kennelly|Barbara Kennelly]]
  |votes      = 354,187
  |percentage = 35.44
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Connecticut Gubernatorial Election 2002}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (US)
  |candidate  = John Rowland (incumbent)
  |votes      = 573,958
  |percentage = 56.11
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (US)
  |candidate  = [[Bill Curry (politician)|Bill Curry]]
  |votes      = 448,984
  |percentage = 43.89
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{CongBio|R000482}}
* {{C-SPAN|johnrowland}}
* Patty Rowland reciting her 2003 poem on C-SPAN {{URL|https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4568041/patty-rowlands-christmas-poem}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-ct-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Natalie Rapoport]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Connecticut House of Representatives]]<br>from the 73rd district|years=1981–1985}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joan Hartley]]}}
|-
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[William R. Ratchford]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States Representatives from Connecticut|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Connecticut's 5th congressional district]]|years=1985–1991}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gary Franks]]}}
|-
{{s-hon}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of youngest members of the United States Congress|Baby of the House]]|years=1985–1990}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Susan Molinari]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Julie Belaga]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Governor of Connecticut]]|years=[[Connecticut gubernatorial election, 1990|1990]], [[Connecticut gubernatorial election, 1994|1994]], [[Connecticut gubernatorial election, 1998|1998]], [[Connecticut gubernatorial election, 2002|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jodi Rell]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Tom Ridge]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Republican Governors Association]]|years=2001–2002}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bill Owens (Colorado politician)|Bill Owens]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Lowell P. Weicker Jr.|Lowell P. Weicker]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Governor of Connecticut]]|years=1995–2004}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jodi Rell]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Governors of Connecticut}}
{{Authority control}}
{{portal bar|Politics|United States}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rowland, John G.}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:American people convicted of tax crimes]]
[[Category:American people convicted of campaign finance violations]]
[[Category:Connecticut politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:Connecticut Republicans]]
[[Category:Governors of Connecticut]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Connecticut House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut]]
[[Category:People from Middlebury, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Politicians from Waterbury, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Politicians convicted of honest services fraud]]
[[Category:American politicians convicted of fraud]]
[[Category:American politicians convicted of corruption]]
[[Category:Politicians from Hartford, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Republican Party state governors of the United States]]
[[Category:Villanova University alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Waterbury, Connecticut]]
[[Category:20th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]