As we take a deep breath and let the FMA battle percolate in our brains, here's a John Rowland update including a handy
timeline from a local news source.
In the meantime, Ethics Commission formally issues decision on gifts to [CT] public officials
(02/25/04) HARTFORD - The state Ethics Commission formally issued an opinion Tuesday saying it is illegal for public officials to accept valuable gifts because of the office they hold.
The commission's opinion is the official of a compromise the commission reached on February 13.
It does not name Governor John Rowland (R-CT), but it says the kind of actions he has admitted to amount to breaking the law.
That should help the Committee on Inquiry, which today issued its first subpoenas.
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Associated Press Writer
February 26, 2004, 12:19 PM EST
HARTFORD, Conn. -- A legislative committee investigating the conduct of Gov. John G. Rowland on Thursday issued its first four subpoenas and said dozens more were forthcoming.
Subpoenas were issued for the governor, his wife, the governor's office and the state Ethics Commission. Another 40 to 50 subpoenas will be sent out shortly, but the names of those being subpoenaed were not being released until they have been served.
State Rep. John Wayne Fox, co-chairman of the House Select Committee of Inquiry, said Wednesday the subpoenas would seek records dating back to 1995, including checkbooks, receipts, bills, tax returns and expenses the governor has incurred for his summer cottage.
The committee also is seeking information on the purchase of property and gifts, Fox said.
"It's a very broad request," Fox said.
State Rep. Arthur O'Neill, R-Southbury, the committee's other co-chairman, said the subpoenas are an important step in the investigation.
"It will move us down the road toward better understanding of the details of the various issues we have been presented," O'Neill said.