Twice Convicted Rowland gets two pardons from felonious President.

Disgraced former governor John G. Rowland has received two pardons from Donald Trump, like Rowland, a convicted felon.

Most public officials only need one pardon, Rowland required two. The three-term Republican resigned as governor on July 1, 2004. He pleaded guilty to corruption charges three days before Christmas that year of shame for Connecticut. Ten years later, the recidivist Waterbury native was convicted by a jury on seven counts that included obstructing justice, falsifying documents, and campaign finance violations.

Rowland served prison sentences in both prosecutions.

Among Rowland’s lowest moments came when he accused his popular successor as governor, Jodi Rell, of “throwing him under the bus” as his corruption began to emerge in public.

At his March 2005 sentencing hearing, Rowland acknowledged accepting $107,000 in gifts. Those gifts, from people seeking state contracts and hefty breaks, included vacations and improvements to his Bantam Lake vacation cottage and private getaway.

Published May 28, 2025.