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Rowland's Aggressive Sales Pitch Under Scrutiny During Trial

Mark Pazniokas
/
The Connecticut Mirror

The fourth day of former Connecticut Governor John Rowland’s corruption trial gets underway on Monday in federal court in New Haven. 

Prosecutors charge that Rowland allegedly devised ways to work for two political campaigns by drafting sham contracts with businesses owned by the candidates to serve as cover. Rowland has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, falsifying records, and other charges.

Last week, Republican congressional candidate Mark Greenberg testified that he had ruled out the idea of hiring Rowland for his 2010 campaign because the ex-governor’s $35,000-a-month fee was outrageous, and Rowland’s previous felony conviction would have tainted his expertise.

The trial has shifted now to the campaign of Lisa Wilson-Foley. She and her husband, businessman Brian Foley, admitted earlier this year to using a sham consulting contract to pay Rowland for secret political work.

When testimony ended Friday, Foley was describing to the court a meeting he had with his wife and Rowland, during which the former governor delivered an aggressive sales pitch on why the campaign should hire him.

Cross-examination of Foley could begin on Monday.

Mark Pazniokas, capitol bureau chief for The Connecticut Mirror, said on Friday that Rowland’s attorney Reid Weingarten will not make it easy. "I think it's going to be a very interesting cross-examination," Pazniokas said. "Weingarten's reputation is he is a courtroom master. He is expert as cross-examination. I would wager that Mr. Foley's going to have a difficult Monday to start the week."

The trial could last up to three weeks.

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and Here And Now. Diane spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

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