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John Rowland: A Fall From Grace

After a successful run in Congress, John Rowland found himself elected to the state’s top seat in 1995. At 37-years-old, he became the youngest governor C...

After a successful run in Congress, John Rowland found himself elected to the state's top seat in 1995. At 37-years-old, he became the youngest governor Connecticut has ever seen.

Rowland had a bright future.

The three-term governor was a force to be reckoned with: his popularity high, and the political smarts to back it.

At one time, his name even came up as someone to watch as a future presidential or vice-presidential candidate.

But it all came crashing down during his third term.

In 2004, a federal investigation was underway into political corruption and during it Rowland resigned from office.

He was eventually convicted and served ten months in prison for accepting more than $100,000 dollars in bribes from businessmen seeking state contracts.

The now infamous hot tub at Rowland's lakeside cottage in Litchfield, Connecticut came to symbolize those illegal gifts, and cronyism in his administration.

During the last trial, the judge took into consideration the fact that Rowland was a first time offender. It’s a caveat the former governor won't be able to use during this latest federal trial.

Related story:

Trial Begins For Former Governor

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