Governor under fire

last updated 8 January 2015

Hartford

A growing number of Connecticut lawmakers this week demanded the resignation of Gov. John Rowland, who is facing a federal corruption investigation. Rowland, a Republican, at first denied any wrongdoing, but has since admitted he let aides and state contractors pay for a hot tub and heating system at his lakeside summer cottage. He apologized to voters in a televised address and asked for the chance to “redeem myself in your eyes and to continue to lead this state.” The plea did little good. Legislators proposed starting their own investigation, the first step toward impeachment. In one poll, 63 percent of state residents said Rowland should resign. “It’s too late for apologies,” said House Majority Leader James Amann, a Democrat. Ten Republican state legislators have joined the call for Rowland to resign.