Former Connecticut governor, who resigned amid corruption scandal, pardoned by Trump
HARTFORD Conn AP Former Connecticut Gov John Rowland whose promising political career was upended by a corruption shame and two federal prison stints has been pardoned by President Donald Trump The Republican governor who served from until was among a number of prominent figures the Republican president granted clemency Wednesday including former New York Congressman Michael Grimm also a Republican and reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley A White House official substantiated the pardon but spoke only on background to discuss matters that have not yet been made residents In an email to the Hartford Courant Rowland wrote I am deeply humbled and appreciative I have been privileged with a wonderful family and friends that have been through a great deal over the years This is a wonderful final resolution President Donald Trump left gestures as Attorney General Pam Bondi right looks on during a swearing in ceremony for interim U S Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro Wednesday May in the Oval Office of the Whit House in Washington AP Photo Evan Vucci Once the nation s youngest governor Rowland was elected three times to the state s highest office before resigning at the age of amid a federal corruption assessment into gifts and favors that he accepted from state contractors and a growing move by state legislators to impeach him from office Rowland served months in a federal prison camp after pleading guilty in to one count of conspiracy to steal honest services Related Articles Fired federal tech staffers file retaliation claim to a panel whose chairwoman Trump also fired Judge says deporting Mahmoud Khalil for his beliefs would likely violate constitution New strategy on visas adds to mounting scrutiny of international students in the US Trump pardons a labor union leader on the eve of sentencing for failing to record gifts Air traffic control system must be improved to prevent problems like Newark airport leaders say It was a stunning fall from grace for a man once considered a rising star in national Republican politics The Waterbury native served three terms in Congress was chairman of the national Republican Governors Association and a friend of former President George H W Bush He was elected governor in at the age of After finishing his prison sentence Rowland identified new life as a popular AM radio commentator But in he was convicted of conspiring to hide his work on political campaigns and was sentenced to months in federal prison Hartford Courant reporter Christopher Keating and Associated Press reporter Will Weissert contributed to this summary
