Former Conn. Gov. John Rowland Declines To Take Stand In Conspiracy Trial

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland has elected not to testify at his federal conspiracy trial.

The defense rested Wednesday after its only witness finished his testimony.

Brian Bedard, the executive vice president of Apple Health Care, testified that Rowland did legitimate consulting work for the nursing home company and he did not believe his contract was a sham.

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Rowland faces seven federal charges, including allegations he conspired with Apple's owner, Brian Foley, to hide $35,000 in payments for work he did on the 2012 congressional campaign of Foley's wife, Lisa Wilson-Foley.

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The defense argues that Rowland volunteered on Wilson-Foley's campaign and was paid for the work he did for Apple.

Prosecutors planned to call at least two rebuttal witnesses before testimony wraps up.

Rowland had rebuilt his life with a popular radio show and had earlier landed a job as an economic development coordinator when he was released from prison in 2006 after serving 10 months on a corruption-related charge.

Rowland resigned in April from his morning radio show, saying he had to "take care of some personal issues."

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