The congressional campaign of Lisa Wilson-Foley responded quickly today to calls for her to disclose her husband’s business relationship with former Gov. John G. Rowland, who also has been assisting her campaign.
According to documents she released, Rowland was paid $30,000 by her husband, Brian Foley, to consult on labor and marketing issues and provide strategic advice for six months ending in March.
The contract Rowland signed Nov. 11, 2011 covered a six-month period beginning Oct. 1. It required Foley’s company, Apple Rehab, to pay the radio talk-show host $5,000 on the first of every month.
Wilson-Foley’s campaign issued a statement saying Rowland, who resigned in 2004 while facing a corruption investigation and impeachment inquiry, has no position with the campaign, other than volunteer:
“The role of John G. Rowland in the Lisa Wilson Foley campaign is one of a volunteer, someone who offers support and guidance. Governor Rowland has been a friend of Lisa and Brian Foley for two decades. His guidance and advice has and is being sought by many Republican candidates in Connecticut.
“As one of only a few Republicans who have won statewide office over the last 40 years, John Rowland has a wealth of experience that has been a welcome addition to the campaign and will continue to be involved.”
Wilson-Foley was responding to stories in the Register-Citizen and to a letter sent early today by Mike Clark, a retired FBI agent who investigated Rowland and is now a rival of Wilson-Foley for the Republican congressional nomination in the 5th District.
State Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-Goshen, another GOP contender in the 5th, also wrote a letter to Wilson-Foley urging her to explain the Rowland relationship.
Wilson-Foley’s letter to Clark and a copy of the consulting agreement are available here.
An attempt to reach Rowland through a producer at WTIC-AM, where he hosts a 3-6 p.m. show, was unsuccessful.