Bush pardons 14 and commutes
2 prison sentences
Non-political offences ranging from tax fraud to selling
dope pardoned
By Deb Riechmann
Associated Press, November 25, 2008
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Bush's
first round of pardons included no high-profile
personalities, only people who had been convicted
of drug, environmental, animal endangerment,
tax and fraud, according to the DOJ..
Source: AFP |
WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush has granted
pardons to 14 individuals and commuted the prison
sentences of two others convicted of misdeeds ranging
from drug offenses to tax evasion, from wildlife violations
to bank embezzlement, The Associated Press learned
Monday.
The new round of White House pardons are Bush's first
since March and come less than two months before he
will end his presidency. The crimes committed by those
on the list also include offenses involving hazardous
waste, food stamps, and the theft of government property.
Bush has been stingy during his time in office about
handing out such reprieves.
Including these actions, he has granted a total of
171 and eight commutations. That's less than half
as many as Presidents Clinton or Reagan issued during
their time in office. Both were two-term presidents.
On the latest pardon list were:
* Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Mo. She was
convicted for unauthorized use of a pesticide and
violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
* Milton Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, S.D. Cordes was
convicted of conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act,
which prohibits importation into the country of wildlife
taken in violation of conservation laws.
* Richard Micheal Culpepper of Mahomet, Ill., who
was convicted of making false statements to the federal
government.
* Brenda Jean Dolenz-Helmer of Fort Worth, Texas,
for reporting or helping cover up a crime.
* Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va. Harley
was convicted of wrongful use and distribution of
marijuana and cocaine.
* Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense
was unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.
* Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., who
was convicted of income tax evasion.
* Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Fla., convicted
of bank embezzlement.
* William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, who
was sentenced for making false entries, books, reports
or statements to a bank.
* Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla., who was
sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.
* Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Ala., who was convicted
of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
* Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted
for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.
* Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, convicted
of illegal treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous
waste without a permit.
* Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark., who was convicted
of aiding and abetting the theft of government property.
Bush also commuted the prison sentences of John Edward
Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., and James Russell
Harris of Detroit, Mich. Both were convicted of cocaine
offenses.
Under the Constitution, the president's power to
issue pardons is absolute and cannot be overruled.
Some high-profile individuals, such as Michael Milken,
are seeking a pardon on securities fraud charges.
Two politicians convicted of public corruption —
former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif.,
and four-term Democratic Louisiana Gov. Edwin W. Edwards
— are asking Bush to shorten their prison terms.
One hot topic of discussion related to pardons is
whether Bush might decide to issue pre-emptive pardons
before he leaves office to government employees who
authorized or engaged in harsh interrogations of suspected
terrorists in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Some constitutional scholars and human rights groups
want the incoming administration of President-elect
Barack Obama to investigate possible war crimes.
If Bush were to pardon anyone involved, it would
provide protection against criminal charges, particularly
for people who were following orders or trying to
protect the nation with their actions. But it would
also be highly controversial.
At the same time, Obama advisers say there is little
— if any — chance that his administration
would bring criminal charges.
