Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland's federal trial starts today in New Haven. Roland, 57 years old, could do up to 57 years if convicted on all the charges he's facing.
Federal Prosecutors say Rowland was serving as a "behind the scenes" advisor to GOP congressional hopeful Lisa Wilson Foley, in her 2012 campaign. According to prosecutors, Rowland was paid $35,000 for his consulting, but Foley attempted to throw anyone off the scent, by paying Rowland through the Foley chain of nursing homes-- saying Rowland was doing work for that business, and not involved in the race.
Rowland has hired a defense team from Washington D.C.
Rowland left the Governor's office half way through his third term, in 2004, and served 10 months behind bars for accepting bribes.