Former CT. Gov. Indicted On Illegal Campaign Charges During Time As Radio Talk Show Host

Republican John Rowland allegedly conspired to hide activities during his time on the air

Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who resigned last week from his radio talk show, was indicted Thursday on seven counts of illegal campaign contributions, falsifying records, and conspiracy.

The alleged counts indicate Rowland was receiving illegal campaign payments and engaging in deceit by aiding a Republican congressional campaign during his time as a radio talk show host on WTIC-AM, a CBS Radio affiliate in Farmington, CT.

The indictment, handed up by a federal grand jury in New Haven, detailed emails between Rowland and others in the alleged conspiracy that included former Republican congressional candidate Linda Wilson-Foley, her husband, Brian, and three unnamed co-conspirators.

Rowland, who served as governor from 1995 to 2004 -- when he resigned and subsequently went to prison for corruption -- was hired by WTIC in September 2010 and resigned last week.

A federal investigation had been underway for months into allegations that he received hidden financial support from Wilson-Foley, one of the 2012 candidates for Connecticut's 5th Congressional seat, and did not disclose it on the air as he attacked her primary opponent.

The situation worsened for Rowland last week when Foley and her husband, Brian, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor campaign violations.

According to Thursday's indictment, the Foleys had hired Rowland as a consultant from September 2011 to April 2012 and funneled $35,000 in payments to him through Mr. Foley's nursing home, and other entities, to avoid reporting them to the Federal Elections Commission and hide the payments from voters.

The indictment states:

The purpose of the conspiracy was to conceal from the FEC and the public that Rowland was paid money in exchange for services he provided to Wilson-Foley's campaign for election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

WTIC did not respond to requests for comment, while a spokesperson for CBS Radio declined to offer an opinion.