Former Repub. Gov. Rowland to plead guilty.

[ihelpu2see]

Once a rising star in Repug. Gov. Circles now to be an inmate!!!

http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-rowland-1223,1,2451178.story?coll=hc-big-headlines-breaking

[madinmaryland]

1. Can you post the article?

CTNow requires registration.

Thanks.

[ihelpu2see]

3. Sorry, Yes here it is!

Rowland Plea Deal Expected
8:26 AM EST,December 23, 2004
By JON LENDER, The Hartford Courant

Former Gov. John G. Rowland, who resigned July 1 amid a scandal over his acceptance of gifts and favors from state contractors and others, is expected to appear today in U.S. District Court in New Haven to enter a guilty plea under an agreement that would send him to jail, the Courant has learned.

The potential plea is the result of sensitive plea negotiations between Rowland and federal prosecutors who were gearing up to seek an indictment of the Republican former governor early next year on charges that could have included consipiracy and racketeering, sources said.

Although court officials were making arrangements for Rowland's appearance before U.S. District Judge Peter Dorsey this morning, some uncertainty remained as to whether the plea deal would go through or Rowland might have second thoughts and back out, sources said.

The exact charge, or charges, to which Rowland would plead guilty could not be determined earlier today. Neither could the amount of time Rowland would serve under the agreement reached late Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors and the FBI began investigating corruption in Rowland's administration in 2002, but changed their focus to Rowland late in 2003 after a Courant investigation led to the disclosure that Rowland received free improvements on his Litchfield vacation cottage from state contractors and staff subordinates.

State legislators launched an impeachment inquiry early in 2004, and Rowland resigned July 1 when it appeared he would be impeached and face trial in the state Senate.

The ongoing federal grand jury investigation has resulted in the iondictment of Rowland's former co-chief of staff, along with that ex-official's son and a top executive of the New Britain-based Tomasso Group, which received lucrative no-bid contracts from Rowland's administration.

Rowland's former deputy chief of staff already has pleaded guilty in federal court to receiving cash for helping to steer state business to the Tomasso Group.

[madinmaryland]

6. So who is he going to have as a roommate in jail

"Bordeaux" Joe Ganim or Phil Giordano.

[TahitiNut]

2. "Rowland Plea Deal Expected"

http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-rowland-1223,1,2451178.story?coll=hc-big-headlines-breaking">Rowland Plea Deal Expected
8:26 AM EST,December 23, 2004
By JON LENDER, The Hartford Courant

Former Gov. John G. Rowland, who resigned July 1 amid a scandal over his acceptance of gifts and favors from state contractors and others, is expected to appear today in U.S. District Court in New Haven to enter a guilty plea under an agreement that would send him to jail, the Courant has learned.

The potential plea is the result of sensitive plea negotiations between Rowland and federal prosecutors who were gearing up to seek an indictment of the Republican former governor early next year on charges that could have included consipiracy and racketeering, sources said.

Although court officials were making arrangements for Rowland's appearance before U.S. District Judge Peter Dorsey this morning, some uncertainty remained as to whether the plea deal would go through or Rowland might have second thoughts and back out, sources said.

The exact charge, or charges, to which Rowland would plead guilty could not be determined earlier today. Neither could the amount of time Rowland would serve under the agreement reached late Wednesday.

<snip>


A short AP article is at http://newsobserver.com/24hour/nation/story/1951271p-9933170c.html

[Osamasux]

4. Rowland, Rowland, Rowland up the River!

(John Fogerty couldn't have said it better.)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Rowland-Investigation.html?hp&ex=1103864400&en=a1f5fbde555bc2b0&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Osamasux]

5. Save room for Kerik.

[Candide]

7. Woohoo!

Send him away with Giordano
and Ganim
and Santopietro
etc
etc

[ihelpu2see]

8. Cant edit orig. post. To clarify wtic AM stated Roland will Plead Guilty

i know the article states plead deal but the am station in town stated he will plead guilty!

[Redstone]

9. It's done...

full story at: http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=2727798

He pleaded to one count of "conspiracy to steal honest service."

Could get 5 in the slam and $250K fine.

About damn time. His personal corruption aside, the worst thing that ever happened to Connecticut was that for the last ten years, it was no secret at all that if you were his buddy or a campaign contributor, the laws simply did not apply to you.

Redstone

[Hand]

10. Sentence him to Death by wonga wonga!!!! nt

[kohodog]

11. 15-21 months is what is expected according to the NYT

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Wonder if the chimp will pardon him. They were friends once.