Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland (R) was accused of having a regular gig on CBS Radio’s WTIC-AM while also working on the campaign of a local congressional candidate.
Complaints went to the FCC and the FEC. And the FCC has decided it has no role in the matter.
According to reports, local activist Ken Krayeske was among the complainants. He said that Rowland was working for the campaign of Lisa Wilson-Foley when he invited rival candidate Andrew Roraback onto his program without disclosing his relationship with Wilson-Frey.
Rowland then proceeded to “berate” Roraback, and later began giving out Roraback’s cell phone number over the air so listeners opposed to his campaign could call him whenever they desired.
Roraback said that had he known of the Rowland/Wilson-Foley link, he would have been better prepared for the interview.
Krayeske said it was improper use of Rowland’s broadcast platform, and filed complaints against both the former governor and CBS.
According to a Register Citizen report, the FCC’s Mark Berlin said the Commission “…has no control over who a station might employ, either on-air or off the air, and there is no requirement that a station disclose any current or prior political relationships of its employees.”
Rowland nevertheless has severed any official ties to any campaign organization. Meanwhile other complaints are pending on non-broadcast concerns.
