Appeals Court Upholds Conviction Of Ex-Connecticut Gov. John Rowland

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A federal appeals court has upheld the political corruption conviction of former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland.

A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City rejected Rowland's appeal Friday.

Rowland was sentenced to a 2 1/2-year prison term last year following his conviction on a charge of conspiring to disguise work he did on a failed 2012 congressional campaign. He is free on bail.

His attorney, Andrew Fish, said the government withheld evidence that would have benefited the defense and has misapplied a federal law. Fish didn't immediately return messages Friday.

Prosecutors denied those charges and argued the conviction should stand.

Rowland was governor from 1995 to 2004, when he resigned amid a scandal involving illegal gifts, including trips and improvements to his lakeside cottage. He also was elected to the U.S. House three times and had been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate or cabinet member.

Rowland served 10 months in prison in the earlier corruption case.

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