Former Connecticut Governor John Rowland was sentenced on Wednesday to 30 months in prison in a campaign fraud case. He was also fined $35,000.
The 57-year-old Republican learned his fate in federal court in New Haven, ten years to the day that he was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for accepting illegal gifts while in office.
A jury convicted Rowland in Septemberof conspiring to hide payments for work he did on the failed 2012 GOP congressional campaign of Lisa Wilson-Foley through a phony contract with her husband's company, and of trying to strike a similar deal in 2010 with another failed Republican congressional candidate, Mark Greenberg.
Prosecutors said Rowland should be sentenced to nearly four years in prison.
On WNPR's Where We Live, panelists on Wednesday speculated that Rowland will probably see a maximum sentence. "Our corruption has turned out to be so deeply-rooted, so stubborn a thing," said Bill Curry, a political analyst and a former gubernatorial candidate. "[There's] a need to send a clear signal to a state that has not taken care of its ethics problems. Soft corruption, as Justice Kennedy termed it in Citizens United, has become the dominant culture of American politics."
Rowland's lawyers dispute he did anything criminal, and said they plan to appeal his convictions.
WNPR's Patrick Skahill, who was at the federal courthouse in New Haven on Wednesday for the sentencing, reported that Rowland is expected to go to prison in 90 days, which gives him time to attend his step-son's wedding. Listen to his report below:
And see tweets below from the scene at the courthouse during the sentencing.
Former #Ct Gov. John Rowland (center) walks to Federal Court in #NHV for sentencing, wife, Patty at left @NHRagold pic.twitter.com/opw2vpLmhZ
— New Haven Register (@nhregister) March 18, 2015
"I am ashamed to be here today,and I accept full responsibility for my actions." Former Gov. John G. Rowland, March 18, 2005
— Tony Terzi (@T2Fox61) March 18, 2015
Ex-Governor John Rowland arrives at fed'l court in New Haven accompanied by wife Patty & DC lawyer Reid Weingarten pic.twitter.com/lDt3myV1VU
— Alison Cowan (@cowannyt) March 18, 2015
Rowland walks into court with his wife, daughters and Pastor Will Marrotti
— ctnewsjunkie (@ctnewsjunkie) March 18, 2015
Rowland is in the courtroom: dark suit, lavender tie, ruddy complexion. He's conferring with his lawyers & people in the gallery #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Press, federal investigators and reporters appear to outnumber Rowland supporters. His wife, Patty Rowland, is here.
— Paul Hughes (@RA_PaulHughes) March 18, 2015
Rowland, appearing much the same as he did at trial, is seated with his lawyers. His wife and are crowded on first spectator bench
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Rowland is pouring cups of water for his defense team. His hand is steady #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Security staff at the federal district court in New Haven said Rowland's judge told them his sentencing could run into afternoon
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Arterton moves directly to arguments about which of the dense, impenetrable sentencing guidelines apply to Rowland and his punishment.
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
If judge buys the argument that Rowland did $5000 or real work for Apple, his sentencing guidelines drop, which could mean less prison time
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Prosecution is arguing that Rowland's sentence should be "enhanced" because his phony consulting contracts amount to obstruction of judstice
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Judge Arterton says Rowland wins a big point on the sentencing guideline issue, lowering his sentencing range. But the debate continues.
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Judge Arterton; "The court concludes that the defendant's verison is more persuasive ."
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Judge says that Rowland sought to undermine Federal Election Commission's enforcement of campaign finance laws #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Judge says that the stiffest penalties are reserved for bribery by public officials and Rowland does not meet that criteria #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Rowland now loses on the obstruction of justice enhancement, meaning his sentencing range now slides back up.
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Arterton now rules against Rowland on the value of his work for Apple, meaning the sentencing range slides up again. Rowland loses 2 of 3
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Advisory guidelines Arterton will use means Rowland will get 24 to 30 months and a fine of $5,000 to $50,000.
— ctnewsjunkie (@ctnewsjunkie) March 18, 2015
Arterton says that, by her calculation, Rowland's sentencing range is 24 to 30 months, considerably less that the govt's 37 to 46 months
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Former Gov. Rowland's friends are now lined up to talk about his character and good works.
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Five members of the Waterbury community will speak on Rowland's behalf. First is Sarah Elizabeth Carabetta of Acts4Ministry
— ctnewsjunkie (@ctnewsjunkie) March 18, 2015
Sarah Elizabeth Carabetta, executive director of Acts 4 Ministry, says Rowland has help shovel and sweep the floor #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Rowland's pastor and radio show host @WillMarotti clutches Patty Rowland's hand before addressing the judge #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
"He lost out on a career that had no bounds." Hartford lawyer Jim Bergenn on Rowland #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Jim Bergenn of Shipman and Goodwin testifying on behalf of Rowland and time he spent with Bergenn's clients
— ctnewsjunkie (@ctnewsjunkie) March 18, 2015
Attorney James Bergenn, a partner at Shipman and Goodwin, appeared on WNPR's Where We Live last September to talk about Rowland's case. Listen below:
Youngest of John Rowland's children talking now.
— Patrick Skahill (@ptskahill) March 18, 2015
As daughter walks back to courtroom well, Rowland smiles and whispers, "it's okay."
— Patrick Skahill (@ptskahill) March 18, 2015
Rowland's wife now testifying.
— Patrick Skahill (@ptskahill) March 18, 2015
We try to live a life of love, Rowland's wife says. "Of God, each other, and our fellow man."
— Patrick Skahill (@ptskahill) March 18, 2015
"This process has taken a toll,'' Patricia Rowland pleads with Judge sentencing her husband. "My hope is that you believe this is enough."
— Alison Cowan (@cowannyt) March 18, 2015
Weingarten now speaking. He thanks Arterton and the court. #rowland
— Patrick Skahill (@ptskahill) March 18, 2015
Rowland lawyer tells judge Ron Wilcox should be charged because he was silently paid by Greenberg campaign.
— ctnewsjunkie (@ctnewsjunkie) March 18, 2015
Rowland lawyer Reid Weingarten is making case that govt singled out Rowland because he got off easy after his first, 2004 conviction
— Edmund H. Mahony (@EdMahony) March 18, 2015
Rowland's lawyer says former governor is the victim of a witch hunt #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Rowland's lawyer also represented a co-conspirator in corruption case of fmr Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who was sentenced to 2 yrs prison
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Rowland's lawyer says the goddess of justice wouldn't weep if Rowland was put under house arrest #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Government now speaking - starts off with saying that Weingarten's tone is not appropriate for a sentencing. Rowland has been convicted.
— Amanda Raus (@amandaraus) March 18, 2015
Rowland prosecutor: "This was a full-blown conspiracy." #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Rowland prosecutor says Rowland masqueraded as independent radio talk show host, but tore down foes of Lisa Wilson-Foley #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Rowland prosecutor says Rowland masqueraded as independent radio talk show host, but tore down foes of Lisa Wilson-Foley #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Rowland prosecutor says wealthy Lisa Wilson-Foley and Mark Greenberg were easy prey for ex-governor to try to bilk #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Judge in Rowland sentencing says Rowland's crime had victims: "I disagree that nobody was hurt." #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
Judge will allow Rowland to attend stepson's wedding 1 month from today #ctpolitics
— Neil Vigdor (@gettinviggy) March 18, 2015
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
