Former Connecticut Governor John Rowland has been found guilty on all seven counts in his federal conspiracy trial. The announcement was made shortly after 2:30 pm on Friday.
Federal prosecutors charged Rowland earlier this year in a seven-count indictment because of what they described as “his efforts to conceal the extent of his involvement in two federal election campaigns.”
Rowland was charged with two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation, one count of conspiracy, two counts of causing false statements to federal elections officials, and two counts of causing illegal campaign contributions. All violations could bring prison time. Rowland's sentencing is scheduled for December 12 at 10:00 am.
"Clearly, this is a sad day," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson said outside the federal courthouse after the verdict was read.
"I heard it suggested cynically during the course of the trial, both inside the courtroom and outside the courtroom," Gustafson said, "that this case was simply politics as usual. It was far from that. Our electoral system is founded on several vital principles, one of which is transparency. It ought to be -- no, it has to be that voters know that what they see is what they get. In this case, the defendant and others did not want this to happen."
Rowland's attorney Reid Weingarten also made a statement after the verdict was read.
"Of course, we're extremely disappointed with the verdict," Weingarten said. "We always believed that the prosecutors had made a very large mountain out of a very small mole hill, all triggered by an all-too-mundane political dust-up on a congressional campaign. We think there were many, many very interesting, very serious legal issues litigated in this case, and we're very much looking forward to litigating them further."
Weingarten said he plans "to appeal the case for sure."
Jeff Cohen tweeted updates from the courtroom as the verdict was read.
Rowland appears in courtroom.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Seven charges. Two falsification of records, one conspiracy, two causing false statements, and two causing illegal campaign contributions.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Rowland sits turned in his seat and speaking one-on-one with his wife. Courtroom considerably less filled than for closing arguments.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
judge enters courtroom, says jury has advised by a note that it has reached a verdict.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Courtroom begins to fill. Jurors begin to enter. Rowland watches as they do.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Rowland nearly motionless as they enter.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
verdict is unanimous, juror tells judge.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
judge sees verdict and is about to return it to foreperson to be read.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Rowland asked to stand .
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Rowland guilty on all seven counts.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
the former govenor stood holding hands with his wife as verdict was entered.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
rowland's family enters the courtroom. tears.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Rowland consoles a family member. remains standing.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
The verdict is accepted and the judgements of guilty are entered on counts one through seven.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Rowland sits, one hand across the barrier between him and his family.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
judge says their decision is not easy. if you have tried your best, then you have done the right thing, she says.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
judge calls the jury system unscientific and imperfect. but she quotes jefferson as she calls it a fundamental part of american justice
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Judge gives strong speech in favor of the jury system, as flawed as it may be.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Patti Rowland sobs into her husband's chest.
— Jeff Cohen (@jeffcohenwnpr) September 19, 2014
Prosecutors say Rowland tried to get 2010 Republican congressional candidate Mark Greenberg to pay him for campaign work, but to funnel the money through an animal shelter Greenberg owned. The candidate said he declined because the arrangement was both illegal and, at a proposed $35,000 a month, expensive.
Prosecutors say Rowland then succeeded in getting work for the 2012 campaign of Republican congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley, only this time, he was paid by her husband’s nursing home company, Apple Rehab. Brian Foley, the husband, cooperated with the federal government, and already pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.
On the stand, Foley said that although the former governor may have done some “real work” for his company, that the only reason he hired him as a business consultant was to have Rowland do work for the campaign. That is, Brian Foley said throughout his testimony that the contract itself was a sham.
Rowland declined to testify in his own defense. His attorneys suggested throughout the trial that he was doing volunteer work for the Wilson-Foley campaign, and substantive work for the nursing home company. They said nothing he did was illegal, nor was it intended to defraud the federal government.
