He's an example of a basically decent guy who let himself get caught up in the ethos (or lack thereof) of Hartford and the longstanding corruption that has pervaded the place for many years. He started out honest enough, but he wasn't wealthy and he was hungry. When someone offered to do something for him he knew wasn't right, he said 'yes' when he shouldn't have. Criminal? probably so, but hardly the kind of corruption that you see from the Democrats in this part of the world, not nearly on the scale of Ganim in Bridgeport, for example. So, on balance, I wouldn't jug Rowland, but I'd give him a pretty stiff home confinement/probation period. But, if he got a short sentence, I can't say I'd be too upset either.
It's an ugly irony, the only Connecticut governor in the past few decades who wasn't (widely alleged to be -- since I have no personal knowledge) corrupt was the otherwise despicable Lowell Weicker. Weicker, however, is independently wealthy as an heir to the Squibb pharmaceutical fortune. He did line his own nest with the state income tax (in putting in the income tax, the state eliminated a 10% dividends tax, so his taxes were cut by 60% on his inherited unearned income.)
We absolutely HATED Weiker! I am a Republican too. We haven't known a decent governor since Ella Grasso.