Overview

• President Trump pardoned former Governor John G. Rowland on May 28, restoring his civil rights after two federal corruption convictions.
• Rowland resigned in 2004 after pleading guilty to conspiracy in a pay-to-play scheme and served 10 months in federal prison.
• He faced a second conviction in 2014 for falsifying records to conceal political consulting work and received a 30-month sentence.
• Rowland hailed the pardon as “a wonderful final resolution” and expressed deep gratitude to his family and supporters.
• Critics including former state Rep. Michael Lawlor argued the decision undermines accountability in cases of political corruption.