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JW Calls on Republican Connecticut Governor to Resign While federal investigators have yet to determine whether or not Connecticut Governor John Rowland "steered" government contracts to businesses for personal gain, one thing is for certain: Rowland accepted gifts and then lied about it to citizens of Connecticut and the American people. For this reason, Judicial Watch has called on the governor to resign. Should he fail to do so, JW has asked the Connecticut State Legislature to begin impeachment proceedings. "Governor Rowland's corrupt behavior is disgraceful and it cannot be tolerated," said JW President Tom Fitton. "The only honorable move left to Rowland is for him to resign and face the consequences of his actions." According to the Hartford Courant, Rowland accepted gifts from state employees, friends and other businesses in exchange for political favors. The gifts consisted mainly of improvements and repairs to Rowland's Bantam Lake summer home in Litchfield, Connecticut. Rowland first claimed he paid for the repairs himself, but after two subcontractors told the Hartford Courant they were offered state jobs if they reduced their fees, Rowland was forced to admit he indeed accepted gifts. He continues, however, to deny that favors were offered in exchange. "Rowland flat out lied about receiving gifts, and then changed his story after he was caught," continued Fitton. "His word can no longer be trusted." One former Rowland aide has already pled guilty to federal charges that he guided contracts to businesses in exchange for personal favors. Now Rowland is the subject of a federal inquiry. Recently investigators subpoenaed Rowland's personal financial information, DMV records on a restored Mustang and two boats, and have begun to look at several suspicious property investments. SIDEBAR WFSB.com, Channel 3, Harford, CT: "Gov. John G. Rowland has twice helped approve state economic development aid for business ventures involving people he had other relationships with, The Hartford Courant reported Sunday, January 18. As chairman of the State Bond Commission, the three-term Republican governor helped approve a loan to a subsidiary of The Tomasso Group and a grant for a study involving a partnership called RMK Prospect Associates, which involved two men Rowland had a profitable land deal with, the newspaper said." In a recent poll from Quinnipiac, only 11% in the poll called Rowland "honest and trustworthy."
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