Rowland Says Poor Judgment Led To Resignation

HARTFORD — Gov John G. Rowland’s resignation amid a federal investigation and an impeachment inquiry ended a once brilliant political career while paving the way for Connecticut’s first Republican female governor.

Mr Rowland had been dogged for months by intensifying investigations into free gifts, trips and favors he received from state contractors and employees.

“I acknowledge that my poor judgment has brought us here,” Mr Rowland said Monday, standing on the side lawn of the governor’s mansion, his wife Patty by his side.

Mr Rowland, 47, becomes the first US governor in seven years to resign under pressure. His resignation, announced in a six-minute address televised live across the state, will go into effect at noon on July 1.

Republican Lt Gov M. Jodi Rell will serve the rest of Mr Rowland’s term, which ends in 2006. She will become the state’s second female governor after Gov Ella T. Grasso, a Democrat who served from 1975 until resigning in December 1980, just weeks before she died of cancer.

Ms Rell, 58, was expected to start detailing her plans Tuesday, including major personnel changes.

“We’re going to take it one day at a time,” Ms Rell told the Associated Press. “But I certainly think the state is ready to move forward.”

Senate President Pro Tem Kevin Sullivan, a Democrat, will become lieutenant governor. The next gubernatorial election is in 2006. Both he and Ms Rell will be sworn in on July 1.

Mr Rowland, a third-term Republican who was once one of the GOP’s rising young stars, became engulfed in scandal in December when he admitted accepting renovations at his lakeside cottage —including a hot tub and new heating system — and lying about it. Other gifts and favors soon came to light.

One longtime friend, a state contractor, bought the governor’s Washington condominium at an inflated price through a straw buyer. Mr Rowland received cigars, champagne, a vintage Ford Mustang convertible, a canoe, and free or discounted vacations from employees and friends — including some with state contracts. The FBI was even looking into whether Mr Rowland skimmed money from low-stakes poker games he hosted.

For months, Mr Rowland has insisted he never did anything in exchange for the gifts. But the drumbeat of allegations sent his approval ratings plummeting and led to demands for his resignation from Republicans and Democrats alike.

In a speech that sounded more like something from the campaign trail than a resignation speech, Mr Rowland touted his successes, listed a series of his pet causes, and barely touched on the scandal that drove him from office.

“I hope you take as much pride as I do in all that we have accomplished,” Mr Rowland said in Monday’s address to family, friends, and current and former staffers. Some wiped tears from their eyes as Mr Rowland walked out, hand-in-hand with his wife.

“The governor has chosen late in this journey to take the honorable road. John Rowland made many bad choices that led us to today’s resignation,” said House Speaker Moira Lyons, a Democrat. “I am sad that such a gifted and talented leader chose a path of deception and ethical malaise for so long.”

Still, Ms Lyons said, she had hoped Mr Rowland would have done more to explain his conduct over the past years.

“It appeared to be more of a farewell speech, not a resignation speech,” she said. “This was a perfect platform for to be able to explain what the rest of the story was from his point of view.”

Ross Garber, the governor’s legal counsel, said it was uncertain whether the legislative inquiry committee investigating the governor would have recommended his impeachment. And he said Mr Rowland’s decision had nothing to do with a parallel federal investigation.

“I think he made a decision that continuing on with the process wouldn’t have been in the best interest of the state or his family and that he could look back with pride on his accomplishments,” he said.

The decision effectively brings an end to what was once considered a remarkable political career. Mr Rowland was elected to the state House at 23 and quickly became the boy wonder of Connecticut politics, using his charm to get elected to Congress at 27 and become governor at 37 — the nation’s youngest at the time.

Rep Arthur O’Neill of Southbury, the inquiry committee’s Republican co-chairman, called the resignation a sad ending to a brilliant political career.

“It certainly takes an enormous weight off the shoulders of the committee and of the House of Representatives, and for that matter the whole legislature,” Mr O’Neill said. “In that regard, I believe the governor is doing a service to the people of Connecticut by eliminating that process.”

Mr O’Neill said he had not reached a conclusion on whether to recommend Mr Rowland’s impeachment.

Local Reaction

Local members of the state legislature and First Selectman Herb Rosenthal reflected on the upcoming changes in leadership in the state.

State Sen John McKinney (R-28th) said Monday that he was saddened by the events that led to the resignation of Mr Rowland but said the state of Connecticut is better off now that he has decided to resign.

“In the best interests of the people of the State of Connecticut the governor’s decision to step down from office was the right decision to make,” he said. “This scandal has taken its toll, and it is time that we moved forward.”

Sen McKinney was one of the first senators to call for Mr Rowland’s resignation in January.

“It is a sad day for the State of Connecticut, but the bottom line is that this scandal was taking away from the governor’s ability to lead our state, and the time had come for him to step down,” he said.

Sen McKinney said that he has full confidence in Lt Gov Rell as she assumes the office of governor on July 1.

“You ask anyone in the halls of the capitol what they think of Jodi Rell, and they will have nothing but good things to say,” he said. “I have no doubt that Jodi will do a great job. She has the respect of the entire legislature, and I look forward to working with her.”

While State Rep Julia Wasserman said Wednesday that Ms Rell would be an excellent governor, she reserved judgment regarding Mr Rowland until charges are proved.

Ms Rell has years of experience in state government and a reputation for integrity and common sense that will enable her to do an excellent job, Rep Wasserman said.

“I served with Jodi Rell in the state House of Representatives for many years where we worked together on many issues of importance to our towns and to the people of Connecticut,” Rep Wasserman said. “She is a hard worker who thoroughly scrutinizes legislation before deciding whether to support it. She bases her decisions on what she believes will be in the best long-term interests of the people of Connecticut.

“Jodi Rell has a well-deserved reputation for integrity, dedication, and common sense. She has many years of experience in state government, as both lieutenant governor and as a state legislator. She has the qualifications and the personal qualities needed to do an excellent job. She has my full confidence and support.”

In regard to Mr Rowland’s resignation, Rep Wasserman said, “At the time Gov Rowland resigned, the US Attorney’s Office had issued no indictments and the General Assembly’s Committee of Inquiry had not submitted its recommendations on impeachment to the state House of Representatives. Until I have an opportunity to read the committee’s report and to see if any indictments are handed up, I will reserve judgment on the allegations about the governor that have been reported in the news media.”

“Gov Rowland acted in the best interests of the state when he announced his resignation Monday,” Rep DebraLee Hovey (R-112th) said Tuesday.

“The allegations that began to surface late last year, coupled with his admission that he lied about work done at his Litchfield cottage at little or no cost by a number of state employees and state contractors, convinced me that acts involving more than bad judgment had taken place and that he could face serious legal problems in the near future. I called on him to resign in January because he had lied to the people of Connecticut and betrayed our trust.

“I believed then that his resignation would have prevented a long, drawn-out, and divisive impeachment battle that would have opened wounds that would take years to heal,” Rep Hovey said. “Apparently the governor finally reached the same conclusion. I commend him for doing the right thing, and I hope he will be remembered for achievements, such as his successful initiatives to improve and strengthen public education, the University of Connecticut and the state university system, restore our state’s economy, and stimulate economic growth and job creation.”

In regard to Ms Rell, Rep Hovey said, “Lt Gov Rell has the experience, intelligence, strength of character, and leadership ability that Connecticut needs at this critical time in our history. She will be an excellent governor who will restore integrity and respect to the office. I look forward to working with her in the months and years ahead.”

“It shouldn’t have taken this long,” First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said of Mr Rowland’s resignation.

Mr Rosenthal said he would not be as kind to the governor in his comments as others might be. “I’m not feeling kindly toward the governor for all the things I’ve been reading and hearing from the committee,” he said.

“Based on what came out through the committee, I don’t see any difference from Mayor [Joe] Ganim,” he said. (Ganim was sent to prison as a result of corruption in his administration.)

As an elected official, Mr Rosenthal said he is angry with the governor because many people are distrustful of government, and, because of that, an elected official that betrays the trust of the people hurts all elected officials.

Mr Rosenthal said he has a high regard for Ms Rell, though he doesn’t know her very well. “Having someone from our part of the state will be helpful,” he said. “She will be familiar with our needs.”

Mr Rosenthal said he is hopeful that Ms Rell and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin Sullivan, a Democrat, who will become lieutenant governor upon her becoming governor, would restore credibility to government in Connecticut.

Mr Rosenthal noted the unusual circumstance for a state to have a Republican governor and a Democratic lieutenant governor, adding such a pairing might bring about a more bipartisan approach to governing.

(The reporting in this story was done by John Christoffersen of the Associated Press and Newtown Bee reporter Jan Howard.)