Lawyers for former Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland are making a last-ditch appeal to a federal judge, urging her to dismiss Rowland's convictions for election fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
In paperwork filed last week, Rowland's lawyers made a procedural argument for his acquittal, the Republican-American newspaper of Waterbury reported Monday. The defense attorneys cited the federal government's failure to respond to its latest motion for acquittal.
This new filing comes shortly before Rowland is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 7 on seven counts related to attempts to hide work on two Republican congressional campaigns through phony business deals. It renews the defense's previously unsuccessful arguments that there was insufficient evidence to convict Rowland.
Rowland previously served a 10-month sentence after pleading guilty to a corruption-related charge in 2004.
