Former 黑瓜吃料网 Gov. , whose promising political career was upended by a corruption scandal and two federal prison stints, has been pardoned by President .
The Republican governor, who served from 1995 until 2004, was among a number of prominent figures the Republican president granted clemency Wednesday, including , also a Republican, and reality TV stars .
A White House official confirmed the pardon but spoke only on background to discuss matters that have not yet been made public.
鈥淚 am very humbled and deeply appreciative,鈥� Rowland said in a to WTNH and other news outlets in 黑瓜吃料网. 鈥淭his is a wonderful final resolution.鈥�
Once the nation鈥檚 youngest governor, Rowland was elected three times to the state鈥檚 highest office before resigning at the age of 47 amid a federal corruption investigation into gifts and favors that he accepted from state contractors and a growing move by state legislators to impeach him from office.
Rowland served 10 months in a federal prison camp after pleading guilty in 2004 to one count of conspiracy to steal honest services.
It was a stunning fall from grace for a man once considered a rising star in national Republican politics.
The Waterbury native served three terms in Congress, was chairman of the national Republican Governors Association and a friend of former President George H.W. Bush. He was elected governor in 1994 at the age of 37.
After finishing his prison sentence, Rowland found new life as a popular AM radio commentator.
But in 2014 he was convicted of conspiring to hide his work on political campaigns and was in federal prison.
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Associated Press reporter Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.
