Does a breach of the public trust mean anything? Does lying to federal probation officers mean anything? Is there any such thing as white collar crime with serious consequence?
Or is it merely the case when when of the white-boys-in-chief gets prosecuted and pleads guilty to a federal felony our judges simply don't care?
John G. Rowland, former governor of the State of Connecticut, now felon, was sentenced yesterday in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Presiding over the sentencing was judge Peter C. Dorsey. A Slap on the Wrist
Rowland faced a sentence of 15 to 21 months under the federal sentencing guidelines. Last year he plead to one count of conspiracy to steal public services. The governor was living high on the hog, taking gifts, and basically treating the state as if it were little more than a feudal estate.
Prosecutors presented scores of witnesses to a grand jury, impeachment proceedings consumed millions of dollars in state funds, and then Rowland plead on the eve of a rumored indictment.
Just before sentencing, the Government filed a motion to depart upward on the grounds that the Rowland had shielded assets from the probation officer. The Government sought three years.
The sentence imposed by Judge Dorsey amounted to a downward departure. It is an insult.
Rowland was no ordinary white-collar criminal. He was the state's highest elected official. He asked for, and was given, the trust of the people of the state. Then he abused the trust.
For this he gets leniency? Wow. I think I'll run for governor. Then I, too, can steal with impunity.
