In Shadow Of Probe, Rowland Leaves As WTIC Talk-Show Host

Hartford Courant ^ | 4/4/14 | JON LENDER, CHRISTOPHER KEATING and EDMUND H. MAHONY

[raccoonradio]

HARTFORD — Former Gov. John G. Rowland, identified Monday in federal court as a co-conspirator in an alleged campaign financing scheme, announced Thursday that he was leaving as WTIC-AM's afternoon talk-show host.

"Today will be my last show as I leave the station to take care of some personal issues," he said just before 6 p.m, at the end of his regular three-hour time slot.

"We accept Mr. Rowland's decision to step down at this time," WTIC Program Director Jenneen Lee said in an email at 6:06 p.m. "Pastor Will will take over the 3 to 6 p.m. show beginning on Monday."

She was referring to Pastor Will Marotti of New Life Church of Meriden, Rowland's co-host from the start of his show in 2010 through 2012.

Rowland's surprise announcement came three days after businessman Brian Foley and his wife, former congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley, admitted in federal court in Hartford that they used a sham consulting contract with Rowland to secretly pay him for political assistance to Wilson-Foley's 2012 campaign.

[raccoonradio]

Former gov. of Conn., a Republican. Wiki: " In 2004, Rowland resigned from office during a corruption investigation, and later pleaded guilty in federal court to a one-count indictment for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, mail fraud and tax fraud. He was the first Connecticut governor to be elected to three terms since 1784.

He served ten months in a federal prison until February 10, 2006, followed by four months house arrest at his home in West Hartford, Connecticut, until June 2006. His lieutenant governor, M. Jodi Rell, replaced him as governor."

(I recall he tried to land the New England Patriots with a stadium to be built at "Adrien's Landing" on the Conn. River. The site was contaminated and it would have taken awhile to clean up, so Bob Kraft opted to back out and pay a $1M fine, I think. Rowland angrily then declared himself a N.Y. Jets fan.

[raccoonradio]

ping

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks raccoonradio.

[gusopol3]

Well, it finally happened; “Republican” not in first paragraph of story.

[nutmeg]

Thanks for the ping, FRiend.

Rowland was / is an idiot to jeopardize his and his family's future with this latest scandal, doesn't surprise me that he's off the air (probably forever). I didn't particularly like his show anyway - Rowland's a moderate Republican. (Of course I prefer listening to Howie Carr in the 3-6 pm slot!)

If WTIC 1080 AM re-hires the hateful uber-lib Guilty White Guy Colin McEnroe for that time slot, I'm done with WTIC!

[Biggirl]

Hi nutmeg, the good news is that it went to Pastor Will. I listen to him, Howie, and Sean.

[Jim Scott]

After the humiliation of his jail time followed by a surprising rehabilitation as a WTIC-AM radio host, I assumed Rowland had learned his lesson. Apparently not. This latest scandal indicates that Rowland is inherently corrupt. With that understanding, I’ve lost all interest in the career of the former governor. Let the chips fall where they may.

[RaceBannon]

Tom Scott for governor....

[CharlesThe Hammer]

Rowland is a knucklehead who damaged the cause in CT and sold out his honor in exchange for “fill dirt.”