Legislature To Form Bipartisan Committee To Investigate Rowland Scandal

By Susan Haigh

Associated Press

HARTFORD –– After asking legislators not to hold impeachment hearings, Gov John G. Rowland did an about-face Tuesday and said he endorses a process that is fair and objective.

Gov Rowland met privately Wednesday morning with Speaker of the House Moira Lyons, D-Stamford.

After that meeting, Ms Lyons said the legislature will form a bipartisan committee of inquiry to investigate the scandal surrounding Gov Rowland and decide whether he should be impeached.

“It is the most difficult decision that I’ve had to make,” Ms Lyons said. “I understand the responsibility and the fact that I could be changing the course of history.”

Gov Rowland has admitted accepting gifts and free work on a vacation cottage from politically connected friends, state employees, and a contractor. The governor has maintained that he never returned the favors and has apologized several times for lying about the gifts.

He has admitted accepting gifts from several politically appointed state employees, including a former aide, Lawrence Alibozek, who has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he took bribes to steer state contracts. The governor also accepted work for his cottage from the Tomasso Group, a New Britain contractor at the center of a federal investigation into corruption in Gov Rowland’s administration.

Federal agents say Gov Rowland is now a subject of their probe, a step below a criminal target.

On Tuesday the Connecticut Post became the eighth daily newspaper in the state to call for Gov Rowland to resign.

Despite the mounting pressure, Gov Rowland made it clear that he is staying put.

“I’ve made mistakes. I’ve apologized for those mistakes. I’ve taken responsibility for those mistakes and now it’s time to govern,” he told a crowd of reporters who followed him and his wife, Patty, to his car after a speaking engagement Tuesday.

Gov Rowland’s remarks came a day after US Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., added his voice to the growing chorus within Rowland’s own party for the governor’s resignation.

Gov Rowland said “everyone is entitled to their opinions” and he respects people’s opinions.

“I’ve had a chance to talk with some of the state reps and state senators. I understand they’re under a lot of political pressure and I appreciate that and I respect that,” he said.

Dean Pagani, the governor’s chief of staff and spokesman, said although the governor originally opposed any sort of legislative hearings, he now believes they could provide a fair stage for him to defend himself.

“At least it levels the playing field. Right now, I think things are being driven mainly by news coverage. Legislators have not had the chance to sift through the fact and fiction themselves,” he said.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers said they were offended by Gov Rowland’s warnings that their own ethical shortcomings could come to light if they pressed for impeachment. The issue was raised during a series of meetings at the governor’s mansion last week.

“He said when the press gets tired of him, they will start on us,” said Democratic Rep Michael Lawlor, recalling a meeting Friday. “It was clearly highlighted in the discussion and inappropriately so, I thought.”

Other lawmakers –– including some of those who have called on Gov Rowland to step down –– said they did not see the governor’s remarks as a threat. They said Gov Rowland was merely pointing out a political reality.

“I personally have never felt threatened by Gov Rowland,” said John Kissel, one of 11 GOP state senators who urged Gov Rowland to resign.

Gov Rowland said he only told the lawmakers they should be careful about setting “standards” for impeachment that could be applied to everyone.

Mr Pagani said some lawmakers were the ones who brought up the idea that they, too, could have ethical violations that might become known.

“It’s on the minds of lawmakers as this process goes forward,” Mr Pagani said. “They realize there is the potential for unintended consequences.”

During Gov Rowland’s address to drug treatment counselors, the governor mentioned his own family’s troubles. His 18-year-old stepson, Ryan Largay, was arrested in October on a marijuana possession charge.

“Our family can still be challenged by drug abuse,” Gov Rowland said. “Needless to say, all of our children at risk.”