Thursday, December 23, 2004
nbc30.com
What Happened When?
A Timeline Of Events Invovling John Rowland
May 24, 1957: John G. Rowland is born in Waterbury, Conn.
1975: Rowland graduates from Waterbury's Holy Cross High School.
1979: Rowland earns his bachelor's degree from Villanova University to become an insurance agent.
1980: At age 23, Rowland is elected to the Connecticut State Legislature.
1984: Rowland elected to the United States House of Representatives. He will serve three terms representing the Fifth Congressional District.
1990: Rowland makes unsuccessful run for governor of Connecticut.
January 1995: Rowland first takes governor's office at age 37. He will be re-elected in 1998 and 2002.
1997: Improvement projects begin on the Rowland's Bantam Lake cottage.
November 2002: Rowland defeats Democrat Bill Curry to win historic third term as governor.
June 2003: Rowland agrees to pay the State Ethics Commission nearly $9,000 to settle a complaint that he took discounted vacations at homes of a developer who did business with the state.
Dec. 2: Rowland insists that he alone paid for improvements on his house at Bantam Lake.
Dec. 12: Governor releases statement admitting for first time that some political supporters and friends helped pay for some renovations to his lakeside cottage. Says none of the people received benefit from his office or the state in exchange for their assistance.
Dec. 17: Rowland asks for forgiveness during speech at Middlesex Chamber of Commerce meeting. Wife recites parody of "Twas The Night Before Christmas."
Dec. 21: The Hartford Courant newspaper calls for Rowland’s resignation.
Jan. 6: Rowland receives federal subpoena for all documents relating to improvements at Litchfield cottage, personal investments, tax returns and all gifts.
Jan. 7: Rowland delivers apology during address delivered on television, radio. Senate President Kevin Sullivan says results of Quinnipiac University poll convince him that Rowland needs to step down.
Jan. 8: House Democrats caucus to discuss options, including impeachment. Federal agents receive governor's DMV records for transaction involving two cars, boat. Two Republican senators call for governor’s resignation.
Jan. 9: Rowland's status changes from "witness" to "subject" in federal probe.
Jan. 10: Republican Rep. Rob Simmons becomes first member of Connecticut's delegation to call on Rowland to resign, saying the governor had lost his "moral authority" to lead.
Jan. 11: Republicans in the state Senate announce they unanimously support forming a House committee to investigate whether the governor committed criminal or ethical wrongdoing in accepting gifts from politically connected friends and contractors.
Jan. 12: Six Republican lawmakers calls for Rowland's resignation. Rep. Christopher Shays, a Republican, announces that he was prepared to forgive Rowland for lying about accepting gifts from employees and a state contractor, but said it's time for him to step down.
Jan. 13: House Speaker Moira Lyons will form a committee to investigate whether Gov. John Rowland should be impeached.
Jan. 21: Quinnipiac University poll shows 68 percent of those asked believe Rowland should resign. Figure increased from 56 percent in a similar poll released two weeks earlier.
Jan. 22: House Speaker Moira Lyons and House Minority Leader Robert Ward name 10 members of the Committee of Inquiry, which will be charged with looking into the conduct of Gov. John Rowland.
Jan. 28: Federal investigators issue subpoena seeking nine years of state records relating to a wealthy friend of Rowland, Robert Matthews. Matthews has received millions of dollars in state-backed loans for manufacturing companies he owns in both New Haven and Naugatuck.
Jan. 30: Committee of Inquiry meets for first time.
Feb. 3: Federal investigators subpoena documents related to work done on the Governor's Residence. The documents are subpoenaed from the Department of Public Works, the agency that oversees the residence on Prospect Avenue at Hartford's boundary with West Hartford.
Feb. 4: Federal investigators announce that Connecticut's first lady, Patricia Rowland, has received a subpoena from federal authorities investigating alleged corruption in her husband's administration.
Feb. 8: Patty Rowland, Rowland's wife, receives a subpoena from federal authorities.
Feb. 13: The state Ethics Commission approves a reworked advisory opinion that clarifies what gifts public officials may receive and when they can be received. On the same day, a Rowland judicial nominee and former Rowland attorney testifies he had agreed to a deferred payment of the governor's legal fees.
Feb. 18: The governor's office announces it has received another federal subpoena requesting everything from Rowland's phone records to documents relating to Enron Corp.
Feb. 23: The Committee of Inquiry's chief investigator quits, less than one week after accepting the position. Bart Schwartz said he stepped down to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest. Schwartz's former law firm represents the Tomasso Group.
March 1: Lawyers representing Gov. John Rowland try to make the case that impeachment should only be pursued for clear indications of criminal wrongdoing. The argument is among several points made in a 26-page brief submitted to the Committee of Inquiry.
March 5: The attorney for the House inquiry committee says proof of criminal wrongdoing is not necessary to impeach Gov. John Rowland.
March 17: An antiques dealer who bought a condominium from Gov. John G. Rowland at above-market rates enters into a plea agreement and is cooperating in the federal corruption investigation into Rowland's administration.
April 8: A Superior Court judge dismisses challenges to subpoenas that have been issued by the legislative committee investigating Gov. John G. Rowland.
April 15: Mary Ann Hanley, Gov. John Rowland's former legal counsel, spends nearly two hours behind closed doors, answering questions for the legislative committee investigating the governor. Hanley provides the Committee of Inquiry's first deposition.
April 19: The state Freedom of Information Commission clears the way for the governor's attorneys to get copies of documents provided by a contractor cooperating in the federal corruption probe. One the same day, the Committee of Inquiry announces plans to take several people and entities to court, including the governor's former financial partner, in an effort to compel reluctant witnesses to respond to subpoenas.
April 30: The committee considering whether to seek the impeachment of Gov. John G. Rowland asks its lawyers to draft an article of impeachment. The decision was prompted when a lawyer for Rowland refused to testify before the House Select Committee of Inquiry, which has been trying to obtain the personal financial records of the governor and his wife.
May 4: House Speaker Moira Lyons gives the committee until June 30 to make a recommendation on impeachment.
May 18: Jo McKenzie, a close family friend of Gov. John Rowland who overseas the governor's residence, appears for a closed-door deposition with the committee that could recommend the governor's impeachment. Panel members also announce that they want the governor to testify June 7.
May 27: Gov. John G. Rowland files a lawsuit asking a court to block an order that he testify before a legislative committee considering his impeachment. A subsequent Quinnipiac University poll shows 88 percent of voters want Rowland to speak to the committee.
June 7: A Superior Court judge rules that Gov. John G. Rowland can testify before a legislative impeachment panel, setting the stage for a precedent-setting state Supreme Court battle.
June 8: The committee investigating Rowland opens hearings to determine whether he should be impeached for accepting gifts from friends, employees and state contractors.
June 18: The state Supreme Court rules that Rowland can be compelled to testify at impeachment hearings.
June 21: Rowland announces his resignation, effective July 1.
July 1, 2004: Gov. John G. Rowland resigns from office.
Sept. 23: Federal prosecutors announce a 15-count indictment accusing Rowland's former co-chief of staff Peter N. Ellef, his son Peter N. Ellef II and contractor William Tomasso of operating a corrupt criminal organization out of the governor's office from 1997 to 2003. Prosecutors also targeted two Tomasso companies, Tomasso Brothers Inc. and Tunxis Management, and the younger Ellef's landscaping business, LF Design LLC. Rowland was not charged in the indictment.
Dec. 23: Rowland arrives in U.S. District Court, where a source said he would plead guilty to criminal charges.
Copyright 2004 by NBC30.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
What Happened When?
A Timeline Of Events Invovling John Rowland
May 24, 1957: John G. Rowland is born in Waterbury, Conn.
1975: Rowland graduates from Waterbury's Holy Cross High School.
1979: Rowland earns his bachelor's degree from Villanova University to become an insurance agent.
1980: At age 23, Rowland is elected to the Connecticut State Legislature.
1984: Rowland elected to the United States House of Representatives. He will serve three terms representing the Fifth Congressional District.
1990: Rowland makes unsuccessful run for governor of Connecticut.
January 1995: Rowland first takes governor's office at age 37. He will be re-elected in 1998 and 2002.
1997: Improvement projects begin on the Rowland's Bantam Lake cottage.
November 2002: Rowland defeats Democrat Bill Curry to win historic third term as governor.
June 2003: Rowland agrees to pay the State Ethics Commission nearly $9,000 to settle a complaint that he took discounted vacations at homes of a developer who did business with the state.
Dec. 2: Rowland insists that he alone paid for improvements on his house at Bantam Lake.
Dec. 12: Governor releases statement admitting for first time that some political supporters and friends helped pay for some renovations to his lakeside cottage. Says none of the people received benefit from his office or the state in exchange for their assistance.
Dec. 17: Rowland asks for forgiveness during speech at Middlesex Chamber of Commerce meeting. Wife recites parody of "Twas The Night Before Christmas."
Dec. 21: The Hartford Courant newspaper calls for Rowland’s resignation.
Jan. 6: Rowland receives federal subpoena for all documents relating to improvements at Litchfield cottage, personal investments, tax returns and all gifts.
Jan. 7: Rowland delivers apology during address delivered on television, radio. Senate President Kevin Sullivan says results of Quinnipiac University poll convince him that Rowland needs to step down.
Jan. 8: House Democrats caucus to discuss options, including impeachment. Federal agents receive governor's DMV records for transaction involving two cars, boat. Two Republican senators call for governor’s resignation.
Jan. 9: Rowland's status changes from "witness" to "subject" in federal probe.
Jan. 10: Republican Rep. Rob Simmons becomes first member of Connecticut's delegation to call on Rowland to resign, saying the governor had lost his "moral authority" to lead.
Jan. 11: Republicans in the state Senate announce they unanimously support forming a House committee to investigate whether the governor committed criminal or ethical wrongdoing in accepting gifts from politically connected friends and contractors.
Jan. 12: Six Republican lawmakers calls for Rowland's resignation. Rep. Christopher Shays, a Republican, announces that he was prepared to forgive Rowland for lying about accepting gifts from employees and a state contractor, but said it's time for him to step down.
Jan. 13: House Speaker Moira Lyons will form a committee to investigate whether Gov. John Rowland should be impeached.
Jan. 21: Quinnipiac University poll shows 68 percent of those asked believe Rowland should resign. Figure increased from 56 percent in a similar poll released two weeks earlier.
Jan. 22: House Speaker Moira Lyons and House Minority Leader Robert Ward name 10 members of the Committee of Inquiry, which will be charged with looking into the conduct of Gov. John Rowland.
Jan. 28: Federal investigators issue subpoena seeking nine years of state records relating to a wealthy friend of Rowland, Robert Matthews. Matthews has received millions of dollars in state-backed loans for manufacturing companies he owns in both New Haven and Naugatuck.
Jan. 30: Committee of Inquiry meets for first time.
Feb. 3: Federal investigators subpoena documents related to work done on the Governor's Residence. The documents are subpoenaed from the Department of Public Works, the agency that oversees the residence on Prospect Avenue at Hartford's boundary with West Hartford.
Feb. 4: Federal investigators announce that Connecticut's first lady, Patricia Rowland, has received a subpoena from federal authorities investigating alleged corruption in her husband's administration.
Feb. 8: Patty Rowland, Rowland's wife, receives a subpoena from federal authorities.
Feb. 13: The state Ethics Commission approves a reworked advisory opinion that clarifies what gifts public officials may receive and when they can be received. On the same day, a Rowland judicial nominee and former Rowland attorney testifies he had agreed to a deferred payment of the governor's legal fees.
Feb. 18: The governor's office announces it has received another federal subpoena requesting everything from Rowland's phone records to documents relating to Enron Corp.
Feb. 23: The Committee of Inquiry's chief investigator quits, less than one week after accepting the position. Bart Schwartz said he stepped down to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest. Schwartz's former law firm represents the Tomasso Group.
March 1: Lawyers representing Gov. John Rowland try to make the case that impeachment should only be pursued for clear indications of criminal wrongdoing. The argument is among several points made in a 26-page brief submitted to the Committee of Inquiry.
March 5: The attorney for the House inquiry committee says proof of criminal wrongdoing is not necessary to impeach Gov. John Rowland.
March 17: An antiques dealer who bought a condominium from Gov. John G. Rowland at above-market rates enters into a plea agreement and is cooperating in the federal corruption investigation into Rowland's administration.
April 8: A Superior Court judge dismisses challenges to subpoenas that have been issued by the legislative committee investigating Gov. John G. Rowland.
April 15: Mary Ann Hanley, Gov. John Rowland's former legal counsel, spends nearly two hours behind closed doors, answering questions for the legislative committee investigating the governor. Hanley provides the Committee of Inquiry's first deposition.
April 19: The state Freedom of Information Commission clears the way for the governor's attorneys to get copies of documents provided by a contractor cooperating in the federal corruption probe. One the same day, the Committee of Inquiry announces plans to take several people and entities to court, including the governor's former financial partner, in an effort to compel reluctant witnesses to respond to subpoenas.
April 30: The committee considering whether to seek the impeachment of Gov. John G. Rowland asks its lawyers to draft an article of impeachment. The decision was prompted when a lawyer for Rowland refused to testify before the House Select Committee of Inquiry, which has been trying to obtain the personal financial records of the governor and his wife.
May 4: House Speaker Moira Lyons gives the committee until June 30 to make a recommendation on impeachment.
May 18: Jo McKenzie, a close family friend of Gov. John Rowland who overseas the governor's residence, appears for a closed-door deposition with the committee that could recommend the governor's impeachment. Panel members also announce that they want the governor to testify June 7.
May 27: Gov. John G. Rowland files a lawsuit asking a court to block an order that he testify before a legislative committee considering his impeachment. A subsequent Quinnipiac University poll shows 88 percent of voters want Rowland to speak to the committee.
June 7: A Superior Court judge rules that Gov. John G. Rowland can testify before a legislative impeachment panel, setting the stage for a precedent-setting state Supreme Court battle.
June 8: The committee investigating Rowland opens hearings to determine whether he should be impeached for accepting gifts from friends, employees and state contractors.
June 18: The state Supreme Court rules that Rowland can be compelled to testify at impeachment hearings.
June 21: Rowland announces his resignation, effective July 1.
July 1, 2004: Gov. John G. Rowland resigns from office.
Sept. 23: Federal prosecutors announce a 15-count indictment accusing Rowland's former co-chief of staff Peter N. Ellef, his son Peter N. Ellef II and contractor William Tomasso of operating a corrupt criminal organization out of the governor's office from 1997 to 2003. Prosecutors also targeted two Tomasso companies, Tomasso Brothers Inc. and Tunxis Management, and the younger Ellef's landscaping business, LF Design LLC. Rowland was not charged in the indictment.
Dec. 23: Rowland arrives in U.S. District Court, where a source said he would plead guilty to criminal charges.
Copyright 2004 by NBC30.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
