Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477238
46 Hartford Business Journal • November 26, 2012 www.HartfordBusiness.com Celebrating 20 Years of Business News I n the past 20 years, Connecticut has at times seemed a lot like New Orleans – not so much for the gumbo but the gumption revealed in political scandals that eventu- ally led some observers to tag the state with unwanted sobriquet of "Corrupticut." Three mayors, one governor, and a state treasurer — and their co-conspirators — were removed from office and sentenced to federal prison terms. And that, of course, isn't counting lower level charges or those who were never prosecuted. Governor gets locked up The biggest of them all would be the resig- nation of Gov. John Rowland in July 2004. It came amidst a potential impeachment revolv- ing around a federal corruption investigation. In December 2004, Rowland pleaded guilty and admitted he took more than $100,000 in renovations and vacations. In May 2005, in spite of federal sentenc- ing guidelines, the disgraced governor was sentenced to a year in federal lockup. Also convicted along with him were his co-chief of staff Peter Ellef; former deputy chief of staff Lawrence E. Alibozek; and New Britain busi- nessman William A. Tomasso. Rowland found religion while in prison and then a new career in radio, political con- sulting, and economic development. Once rising star plummets Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez saw his increasing power in the city clipped by his conviction for accepting free home improve- ments (politicians and contractors aren't a good match in Hartford) and other charges. Perez, a former gang leader turned ground-breaking politician, was arrested in January 2009 and convicted in June 2010 of five corruption charges, including being an accessory to the fabrication of evidence, of conspiracy to fabricate evidence, conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny by extor- tion and criminal attempt to commit first-degree larceny by extortion. Unlike the other politicos profiled for corruption, Perez has managed to stay out of jail pending his appeals. Fine suits, good wine and pris- on time Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim, a onetime gubernatorial aspirant, fol- lowed a path similar to Rowland and lived the high life at other's expense. Ganim, in his fifth term when arrested, was convicted of 16 counts of cor- ruption for receiving almost half-a-million dollars in bribes and kickbacks, as well as expensive dinners, bottles of wine, and cloth- ing. His sartorial desires landed him seven years in prison and the loss of his law license, which he unsuccessfully sought to reinstate earlier this year. Treasurer takes kickbacks and sings Paul J. Silvester, appointed state trea- surer in 1997 only to lose at the polls in 1998, was arrested in 1999 for taking kickbacks of greenbacks in exchange for steering the state's pension investment funds to certain people and firms. He also made sure his friends were taken care of with large finder fees. He was sentenced to 51 months in prison in 2003. He became a willing witness for the feds. According to the N.Y. Times, Silvester met with federal authorities 80 times in four years. Those chats led to convictions or guilty pleas for seven others and one investment firm. A sad mayoral conviction Waterbury Mayor Philip A. Giordano was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for potential corruption charges when wiretaps revealed a much more disturbing crime: sex with under- age girls. The corruption investigation was quickly scrapped and Giordano was charged with violating the civil rights of the teen girls. He was convicted and sentenced to 37 years starting in 2003. — By Keith Griffin STORIES 20 Years of Connecticut tagged as 'Corrupticut' for convicted politicians C hances are you have spent an evening with Henry Link. You have stood on line with him to enter a theater, get a drink at an art opening, or view silent auction items at a fun- draiser. You may not know him, but he's everywhere in the city of Hartford, and proof positive of this area's vibrancy. As a young reporter who had recently committed to my future husband and therefore this city, Henry was placed on my radar screen. An astute newspaper columnist profiled Henry in 1994, and in the pro- cess profiled Hartford. The message was, "if you think Hartford is boring, spend a week with Henry; there are great things happening here every night of the week." Henry came just in time. With friends in New York, Washington and Los Angeles I fre- quently wondered whether Hartford could quench one's thirst for life. Henry's example was an inspiration. I often think of Henry when suburban friends bemoan Hartford's fill-in-the-blank. Henry lives in the city and attends just about everything. This past week saw him at the Connecticut Science Center's Green Gala and at a political fundraiser. Nonprofits will cram their events into the weeks before the holidays so Lord knows how busy he will be as Thanksgiving approaches. We aren't New York; we aren't even New Haven, which as we all know enjoys the cultural wellspring known as Yale. But there are people here who are creating opportunities for all of us to experience art (too many venues to list here); further our intel- lectual pursuits (myriad programs at the Mark Twain House, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and the World Affairs Council to name a few). Certainly one's stage of life can deter- mine the ability to enjoy what our city and region have to offer (the child-raising years are less conducive to evenings out) and the wallet may dictate choices as well. But I don't think of our Henry as a wealthy man; rather, he personifies a favorite quote of Hartford native daughter Katharine Hepburn: "Listen to the Song of Life". There is beautiful music being made all around this city; it's there for all of us to hear. g Duby McDowell is founder of Duby McDow- ell Communications LLC in Hartford. Hartford's beautiful song plays through Henry Link By Duby McDowell "Remembrance" 'I often think of Henry when suburban friends bemoan Hartford's fill-in-the-blank.' Eddie Perez, photo from Hartford Business Journal 40 Under Forty, 1997. Former State Treasurer Paul Silvester. P H O T O / I N D I A B L U E Duby McDowell was a TV news reporter in 1993 and drew the job of interviewing Mike Peters the day after his election as Hartford mayor. Henry Link C O N T R I B U T E D P H O T O P H O T O / S T E V E L A S C H E V E R Former Gov. John Rowland