President Trump Pardons Former CT Gov. John Rowland: Reports

CONNECTICUT — Former Gov. John Rowland received a pardon from President Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to Politico.

Rowland was a twice-convicted felon who was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2015. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1985 and served until 1991. He was elected governor in 1995 and served till 2004.

Rowland told NBC CT that he was "humbled and appreciative," of Trump's pardon, while adding, "This is a wonderful final resolution."

At the time of Rowland's sentencing in 2015 then First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson said, ““It is disheartening that an individual who once held two of our country’s highest elected offices, and who also served time in prison for a previous federal conviction, chose to deceive voters and violate laws that were established to ensure fair and open elections. Hopefully, today’s sentence will deter both this defendant from future criminal behavior and all who may consider ignoring campaign financing laws."

Rowland was charged with violating federal campaign finance laws after he consulted for the Lisa Wilson-Foley campaign in her bid for the U.S. House of Representatives 5th District seat during the 2011-2012 election cycle, officials said. Her husband, Brian Foley testified that he hired Rowland through his nursing home company as a consultant in order to keep Rowland’s involvement in the campaign off the books, federal officials said.

Rowland was paid about $35,000 for consulting the Foley’s, according to evidence introduced at the trial. On September 19, 2014, Rowland was found guilty of two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation, one count of conspiracy, two counts of causing false statements to be made to the FEC, and two counts of causing illegal campaign contributions.

In December 2004, Rowland pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud and tax fraud. On March 18, 2005, he was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment and four months of home confinement, federal officials said.