Record numbers seek last-minute pardons from President Bush.
Record numbers seek last-minute pardons from President Bush.
As President Bush enters his final months in office, a record number of felons are seeking presidential pardons or commutations from him, causing “one of the largest backlogs in clemency applications in recent history”:
A number of high-profile felons have already sought clemency, among them Michael Milken, the junk-bond king and financier convicted of securities fraud in 1990; John Walker Lindh, the so-called American Taliban; Randy “Duke” Cunningham, the former California congressman who was convicted of tax evasion; and Edwin Edwards, the former governor of Louisiana convicted in 2000 of racketeering, according to the Justice Department.
In his presidency thus far, Bush has “taken a stingy stand on pardons,” granting fewer of them than any president in modern history. But Bush’s use of his clemency powers has not been without controversy. In 2007, Bush commuted former vice-presidential assistant Scooter Libby’s 2 1/2 years prison sentence for lying to federal prosecutors. Libby has not submitted a pardon request to Justice.
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I guess George has lots of friends after all.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:58 amChief of Staff: “Hey, Dufous, satellite phone call, line 6…”
November 17th, 2008 at 10:11 amGeorge: “Hey yourself, heh heh, soon to be unemployed loser, heh heh… who is is it?
Chief of Staff: “Yeah, whatever, I think it’s your buddy ben laden, says he wants to make a deal…”
George: “What’s he got hehe hehe..?”
Chief of Staff: “An autographed collectors series AK-47, a Soviet officers uniform with only one hole in the jacket, and an Afghan blanket; in exchange for a pardon.”
George: “Oh goody, it’s a deal, can he bring them to Crawford in time for Christmas?”
http://www.djrserv.com/images/getoutfree_curve2.jpg
November 17th, 2008 at 10:13 amBush will no doubt offer either a blanket pardon or targeted pardons to his faithful political criminal cabal. This would severely hamper domestic investigations as these pardonees would not be compelled to aid in the prosecution of higher ups because they would allready be absolved of consequences. The only catch (and gold lining) is that by accepting a presidential pardon you are admitting guilt. This will aid the implimentation and prosecution of international war crimes tribunals against many higher ups in the Bush Administration. These pardonees would be outside of an American courts jurisdiction but their pardon would offer no criminal protection in the Hague.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:19 amMethinks Dubya ought to give the middle finger to all pardon applicants, sorta like he has done to the rest of the world these past eight years.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:20 amDumbya will no doubt be gaining considerable experience from this exercise as he learns how to craft his own request for a pardon. I wonder if people convicted by the World Court for crimes against humanity are ever pardoned?
November 17th, 2008 at 10:20 amwell, it’s a cinch John Walker Lindh, the so-called American Taliban, won’t make it…
November 17th, 2008 at 10:21 amGeorge needs to polish his turd of a legacy somehow…..and he will likely stay true to form by choosing the worst possible polishing compound.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:26 amCan he pardon himself?
I ask that question in two ways:
1) Could he pardon himself before all the machinations and twisting he has done with the rule of law in this country?
2) Can he technically do it now with whatever shady executive order he’s most likely signed granting himself said authority?
The only hope for justice for these folks is the Hague, you are correct A Patriot Acting.
The problem is thus, then: How do you get them there? No country on this planet, ally or otherwise, would dare come on US soil to forcibly extradite them. They certainly won’t leave willingly. I have my doubts that Obama will send them (in the spirit of ‘hope’ and ‘healing’ and ‘bipartisansh!t’).
How do you get them there?
November 17th, 2008 at 10:28 amHow do you get them there?
Talk to the isreali secret police, they’re good at that sort of thing.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:30 amIn his presidency thus far, Bush has “taken a stingy stand on pardons,” granting fewer of them than any president in modern history.
I get so sick of hearing this line of B.S. The only reason Bush hasn’t issued many pardons is because all presidents wait until they are lame ducks before they issue most pardons. I expect Bush to issue a blanket pardon for all crimes committed in the past, present, and future by all wealthy Republicans for all time.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:32 ama record number of felons are seeking presidential pardons or commutations from him,
His entire administration has lined up outside the Oval Office, including Cheney and himself.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:35 amQuite appropriate that Shrubwit’s tenure should end with pardons and bailouts that reflect the underhanded, unmitigated FUBAR his administration has been.
Accountability? Responsibility? Not in Shrublandia.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:35 amThe only pardons that Bush should be considering are for those who have been held for years in US custody without being properly charged and who have never been afforded a speedy trial .
November 17th, 2008 at 10:35 amTorture , kidnapping , being held without charges all hallmarks of neo conservative justice !
The only person Bush cannot pardon is himself. So, he uses the same strategy as Poppy Bush. He pardons everyone who knows where the skeletons are buried in return for them keeping their mouths shut.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:39 amBush has “taken a stingy stand on pardons,”
He’s just been saving them up so he can grant one big one.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:41 amHis own.
#4. A Patriot Acting Says:
Bush will no doubt offer either a blanket pardon or targeted pardons to his faithful political criminal cabal. This would severely hamper domestic investigations as these pardonees would not be compelled to aid in the prosecution of higher ups because they would allready be absolved of consequences.
Actually, it works the opposite way. If someone who can implicate a higher up gets pardoned, then they lose their fifth amendment right against self-incrimination, since they can’t be punished for whatever they admit. Therefore they can actually be forced to testify.
Furthermore, everybody in Washington should know by now that it’s never what you do that gets you in trouble anyways, it’s trying to cover it up under oath that always nails everybody. From Keating to Clinton, perjury is always the official infraction of record, regardless of what else you actually did. Which means if they’re forced to testify, they’d better tell the truth because they will get caught on it.
Bush should be veeerrry careful regarding who he pardons, if they’re anywhere close to his office. Of course, he’s an idiot, so he won’t.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:41 amKudos to any lawmaker who proposes legislation making it illegal for any President to pardon those in his/her employ.
Would that be nice…
November 17th, 2008 at 10:43 amGiven President Bush’s gifted work-ethic (heh), I am sure that dear leader will be happy for something to keep him busy until January 20th, 2009.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:51 amTalk to the isreali secret police, they’re good at that sort of thing.
Unlikely since Neocons are a Zionists best friend.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:57 amDNFP Says:
Talk to the isreali secret police, they’re good at that sort of thing.
Unlikely since Neocons are a Zionists best friend.
I was being verrrry sarcastic…
November 17th, 2008 at 10:58 am;)
Nevar Says:
Oh I know, I’m just frustrated as HELL that the criminal cabal is going to be walking the streets without any repercussions.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:02 amHeh. I remember the years of having Edwin Edwards as Gov. Those were some pretty colorful years.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:16 amUn-elected failed president war criminal please pardon our trespassings! The ignorant sheeple and the have-mores pardon yours!
November 17th, 2008 at 11:41 amDoes the Republican Party finally “get it”??
A good measure will be a listing of those Bush pardons. If the list leans heavily to well-endowed CEO donors and an those who did the dirty work for Bush,the Dems need to make a gigantic point of it.
It will be proof that even after the 2008 election, the repubs aren’t interested in doing anything but CYA
November 17th, 2008 at 11:42 amBush again will have to create a new Law and give a blanet pardon to every person involved in the crimes of the White House for the pass 8 years. Look giving pardon’s to some friends only means their friends will go to jail. Right now Jack Abramoff is putting his bid in for his pardon as well as Duke Cunningham and DeLay. Libby wants his money back for protecting Cheney. Each Department head needs the pardon and every FBI/CIA agent too. This will make history as most likely thousands will need the pardon. Now that leaves these crooks open to charges overseas and by the United Nations which Bush can’t help them or his self with. Connie Rich, Rummy, Dick Cheney and Powell are already on the list. Yoo wrote his request when he left office. Now all these pardons still leave the door open for Civil charges.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:54 amI imagine he’ll also be arguing that Executive Privelege grants him the authority to bestow pardons after he leaves office.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:25 pmPardon=admission of guilt.
Admission of guilt=face the consequences.
bu$hco’s “friends” and the rest of the gopee will NEVER admit to doing anything wrong.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pmCriminals pardomning themselves… handcuff them. Handcuff Bush!
November 17th, 2008 at 1:38 pmHas he figured out a way to give one to himself and all his fellow felons?????
November 17th, 2008 at 2:08 pmJohn Walker Lindh, the so-called American Taliban?????
I thought he was AFTER the Terrorists?!?!?!?
November 17th, 2008 at 2:16 pmkaty Says:
well, it’s a cinch John Walker Lindh, the so-called American Taliban, won’t make it…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
But Cunningham has a good shot
November 17th, 2008 at 5:17 pmIt’s perfectly appropriate. Bush has had a record number of felons serve in his administration.
-AF
November 17th, 2008 at 6:04 pmAndrew Sullivan Is A Fraud
Clinton’s pardons in 2001,,,,how many of you complained then?:
U.S. Department of Justice
——————————————————————————–
Washington, D.C. 20530
January 20, 2001
Pardon Grants January 2001
Name Home Town Offenses
ALLEN, Verla Jean Everton, Arkansas False statements to agency of United States
ALTIERE, Nicholas M. Las Vegas, Nevada Importation of cocaine
ALTSCHUL, Bernice Ruth Sherman Village, California Conspiracy to commit money laundering
ANDERSON, Joe, Jr. Grove Hill, Alabama Income tax evasion
ANDERSON, William Sterling Spartanburg, South Carolina Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured financial institution, false statements to a federally insured financial institution, wire fraud
AZIZKHANI, Mansour T. Huntsville, Alabama Conspiracy and making false statements in bank loan applications
BABIN, Cleveland Victor, Jr. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Conspiracy to commit offense against the United States by utilizing the U.S. mail in furtherance of a scheme to defraud
BAGLEY, Chris Harmon Harrah, Oklahoma Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine
BANE, Scott Lynn Mahomet, Illinois Unlawful distribution of marijuana
BARBER, Thomas Cleveland Hampton, Florida Issuing worthless checks
BARGON, Peggy Ann Monticello, Illinois Violation of the Lacey Act, violation of the Bald Eagle Protection Act
BHATKA, Tansukhlal Income tax evasion
BLAMPIED, David Roscoe Ketchum, Idaho Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
BORDERS, William Arthur, Jr. Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to corruptly solicit and accept money in return for influencing the official acts of a federal district court judge (Alcee L. Hastings), and to defraud the United States in connection with the performance of lawful government functions; corruptly influencing, obstructing, impeding and endeavoring to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice, and aiding and abetting therein; traveling interstate with intent to commit bribery
BOREL, Arthur David Little Rock, Arkansas Odometer rollback
BOREL, Douglas Charles Conway, Arkansas Odometer rollback
BRABHAM, George Thomas Austin, Texas Making a false statement or report to a federally insured bank
BRASWELL, Almon Glenn Doravilla, Georgia Conspiracy to defraud government with respect to claims; perjury
BROWDER, Leonard Aiken, South Carolina Illegal dispensing of controlled substance and Medicaid fraud
BROWN, David Steven New York, New York Securities fraud and mail fraud
BURLESON, Delores Caroylene, aka Delores Cox Burleson Hanna, Oklahoma Possession of marijuana
BUSTAMANTE, John H. Cleveland, Ohio Wire fraud
CAMPBELL, Mary Louise Ruleville, Mississippi Aiding and abetting the unauthorized use and transfer of food stamps
CANDELARIA, Eloida False information in registering to vote
CAPILI, Dennis Sobrevinas Glendale, California Filing false statements in alien registration
CHAMBERS, Donna Denise Memphis, Tennessee Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a telephone to facilitate cocaine conspiracy
CHAPMAN, Douglas Eugene Scott, Arkansas Bank fraud
CHAPMAN, Ronald Keith Scott, Arkansas Bank fraud
CHAVEZ, Francisco Larios Santa Ana, California Aiding and abetting illegal entry of aliens
CISNEROS, Henry G.
CLINTON, Roger
COHN, Stuart Harris New Haven, Connecticut 1. Illegal sale of gold options
2. Illegal sale of silver options
COOPER, David Marc Wapakoneta, Ohio Conspiracy to defraud the government
COX, Ernest Harley, Jr. Pine Bluff, Arkansas Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured savings and loan, misapplication of bank funds, false statements
CROSS, John F., Jr. Little Rock, Arkansas Embezzlement by a bank employee
CUNNINGHAM, Rickey Lee Amarillo, Texas Possession with intent to distribute marijuana
DE LABIO, Richard Anthony Baltimore, Maryland Mail fraud, aiding and abetting
DEUTCH, John Described in January 19, 2001 information
DOUGLAS, Richard False statements
DOWNE, Edward Reynolds Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax evasion; securities fraud
DUDLEY, Marvin Dean Omaha, Nebraska False statements
DUNCAN, Larry Lee Branson, Missouri Altering an automobile odometer
FAIN, Robert Clinton Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false corporate tax return
FERNANDEZ, Marcos Arcenio Miami, Florida Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana
FERROUILLET, Alvarez Interstate transport of stolen property, money laundering, false statements
FUGAZY, William Denis Harrison, New York Perjury in a bankruptcy proceeding
GEORGE, Lloyd Reid Mail fraud
GOLDSTEIN, Louis Las Vegas, Nevada Possession of goods stolen from interstate shipment
GORDON, Rubye Lee Tampa, Florida Forgery of U.S. Treasury checks
GREEN, Pincus Switzerland
HAMNER, Robert Ivey Searcy, Arkansas Conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
HANDLEY, Samuel Price Hodgenville, Kentucky Conspiracy to steal government property
HANDLEY, Woodie Randolph Hodgenville, Kentucky Conspiracy to steal government property
HARMON, Jay Houston Jonesboro, Arkansas 1. Conspiracy to import marijuana, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, importation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
2. Conspiracy to import cocaine
HEMMINGSON, John Interstate transport of stolen property, money laundering
HERDLINGER, David S. St. Simons Island, Georgia Mail fraud
HUCKLEBERRY, Debi Rae Ogden, Utah Distribution of methamphetamine
JAMES, Donald Ray Fairfield Bay, Arkansas Mail fraud, wire fraud, and false statement to a bank to influence credit approval
JOBE, Stanley Pruet El Paso, Texas Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and bank fraud
JOHNSON, Ruben H. Austin, Texas Theft and misapplication of bank funds by a bank officer or director
JONES, Linda Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and other offenses against the United States
LAKE, James Howard Illegal corporate campaign contributions, wire fraud
LEWIS, June Louise Lowellville, Ohio Embezzlement by a bank employee
LEWIS, Salim Bonnor Short Hills, New Jersey Securities fraud, record keeping violations, margin violations
LODWICK, John Leighton Excelsior Springs, Missouri Income tax evasion
LOPEZ, Hildebrando San Isidro, Texas Distribution of cocaine
LUACES, Jose Julio Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Possession of an unregistered firearm
MANESS, James Timothy Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance
MANNING, James Lowell Little Rock, Arkansas Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false corporate tax return
MARTIN, John Robert Gulf Breeze, Florida Income tax evasion
MARTINEZ, Frank Ayala Elgin, Texas Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service
MARTINEZ, Silvia Leticia Beltran Elgin, Texas Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service
McCORMICK, John Francis Dedham, Massachusetts Racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, and violation of the Hobbs act
McDOUGAL, Susan H.
MECHANIC, Howard Lawrence 1. Violating the Civil Disobedience Act of 1968
2. Failure to appear
3. Making false statement in acquiring a passport
MITCHELL, Brook K., Sr. Conspiracy to illegally obtain USDA subsidy payments, false statements to USDA, and false entries on USDA forms
MORGAN, Charles Wilfred, III Little Rock, Arkansas Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
MORISON, Samuel Loring Crofton, Maryland Willful transmission of defense information, unauthorized possession and retention of defense information, theft of government property
NAZZARO, Richard Anthony Winchester, Massachusetts Perjury and conspiracy to commit mail fraud
NOSENKO, Charlene Ann Phoenix, Arizona Conspiracy to defraud the United States, and influencing or injuring an officer or juror generally
OBERMEIER, Vernon Raymond Belleville, Illinois Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and using a communications facility to facilitate distribution of cocaine
OGALDE, Miguelina Glendale, California Conspiracy to import cocaine
OWEN, David C. Olathe, Kansas Filing a false tax return
PALMER, Robert W. Little Rock, Arkansas Conspiracy to make false statements
PERHOSKY, Kelli Anne Bridgeville, Pennsylvania Conspiracy to commit mail fraud
PEZZOPANE, Richard H. Palo Heights, Illinois Conspiracy to commit racketeering, and mail fraud
PHILLIPS, Orville Rex Waco, Texas Unlawful structure of a financial transaction
POLING, Vinson Stewart, Jr. Baldwin, Maryland Making a false bank entry, and aiding and abetting
PROUSE, Norman Lyle Conyers, Georgia Operating or directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol
PRUITT, Willie H. H., Jr. Port Richey, Florida Absent without official leave
PURSLEY, Danny Martin, Sr. Goodlettsville, Tennessee Aiding and abetting the conduct of an illegal gambling business, and obstruction of state laws to facilitate illegal gambling
RAVENEL, Charles D. Charleston, South Carolina Conspiracy to defraud the United States
RAY, William Clyde Altus, Oklahoma Fraud using a telephone
REGALADO, Alfredo Luna Pharr, Texas Failure to report the transportation of currency in excess of $10,000 into the United States
RICAFORT, Ildefonso Reynes Houston, Texas Submission of false claims to Veterans Administration
RICH, Marc Switzerland
RIDDLE, Howard Winfield Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado Violation of the Lacey Act (receipt of illegally imported animal skins)
RILEY, Richard Wilson, Jr. Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
ROBBINS, Samuel Lee Cedar Park, Texas Misprision of a felony
RODRIGUEZ, Joel Gonzales Houston, Texas Theft of mail by a postal employee
ROGERS, Michael James McAllen, Texas Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana
ROSS, Anna Louise Lubbock, Texas Distribution of cocaine
RUST, Gerald Glen Avery, Texas False declarations before grand jury
RUST, Jerri Ann Avery, Texas False declarations before grand jury
RUTHERFORD, Bettye June Albuquerque, New Mexico Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
SANDS, Gregory Lee Sioux Falls, South Dakota Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
SCHWIMMER, Adolph Conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to export arms and ammunition to a foreign country and related charges
SERETTI, Albert A., Jr. McKees Rocks, Pennyslvania Conspiracy and wire fraud
SHAW, Patricia Campbell Hearst Wilton, Connecticut Armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a felony
SMITH, Dennis Joseph Redby, Minnesota 1. Unauthorized absence
2. Failure to obey off-limits instructions
3. Unauthorized absence
SMITH, Gerald Owen Florence, Mississippi Armed bank robbery
November 17th, 2008 at 6:45 pmSMITH, Stephen A.
SPEAKE, Jimmie Lee Breckenridge, Texas Conspiracy to possess and utter counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes
STEWART, Charles Bernard Sparta, Georgia Illegally destroying U.S. Mail
STEWART-ROLLINS, Marlena Francisca Euclid, Ohio Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
SYMINGTON, John Fife, III
TANNEHILL, Richard Lee Reno, Nevada Conspiracy and restraint of trade
TENAGLIA, Nicholas C. Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania Receipt of illegal payments under the Medicare program
THOMAS, Gary Allen Lancaster, Texas Theft of mail by postal employee
TODD, Larry Weldon Gardendale, Texas Conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S. in violation of the Lacey Act and the Airborne Hunting Act
TREVINO, Olga C. Converse, Texas Misapplication by a bank employee
VAMVOUKLIS, Ignatious Exeter, New Hampshire Possession of cocaine
VAN DE WEERD, Patricia A. Tomahawk, Wisconsin Theft by a U.S. Postal employee
WADE, Christopher V.
WARMATH, Bill Wayne Walls, Mississippi Obstruction of correspondence
WATSON, Jack Kenneth Oakridge, Oregon Making false statements of material facts to the U.S. Forest Service
WEBB, Donna Lynn Panama City, Florida False entry in savings and loan record by employee
WELLS, Donald William Phenix City, Alabama Possession of an unregistered firearm
WENDT, Robert H. Kirkwood, Missouri Conspiracy to effectuate the escape of a federal prisoner
WILLIAMS, Jack L. Making false statements to federal agents
WILLIAMS, Kevin Arthur Omaha, Nebraska Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine
WILLIAMS, Robert Michael Davison, Michigan Conspiracy to transport in foreign commerce securities obtained by fraud
WILSON, Jimmie Lee Helena, Arkansas Converting property mortgaged or pledged to a farm credit agency, and converting public money to personal use
WINGATE, Thelma Louise Sale City, Georgia Mail fraud
WOOD, Mitchell Couey Sherwood, Arkansas Conspiracy to possess and to distribute cocaine
WOOD, Warren Stannard Las Vegas, Nevada Conspiracy to defraud the United States by filing a false document with the Securities and Exchange Commission
WORTHEY, Dewey Conway, Arkansas Medicaid fraud
YALE, Rick Allen Belleville, Illinois Bank fraud
YASAK, Joseph A. Chicago, Illinois Knowingly making under oath a false declaration regarding a material fact before a grand jury
YINGLING, William Stanley Interstate transportation of stolen vehicle
YOUNG, Phillip David Little Rock, Arkansas Interstate transportation and sale of fish and wildlife
jimigtrslingin, you are an uninformed idiot.
Progressives will be the first to admit that Clinton sorely used the pardon process.
Dismissed.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:45 pmZooey,
November 18th, 2008 at 2:51 pmThis article is only stating that Bush will be issuing pardons soon like all others before him.
Let’s wait and see how long his list is before we assume everything.
Hey,,,and then let’s see what the Messiah’s list is in 4 years, huh?
Yep, Bush made terrible mistakes, any chance you can fess up to Clinton’s mistakes? or soon Obama’s mistakes?
Probably not,,,,,,it’s just call me a name.
That’s your big contribution to the debate. Take another hit of hash and leave me alone.
peace out
would bush pardon himself for this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeXpwabuUbY
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:38 pmJust like the cold war when everyone who didn’t agree with the U.S. was either a communist or a communist sympathizer. toki This poor crazy guy spent half a decade being tortured because a bunch
of stupid politicians araç sorgulama were sure the NVA
was in bed with the Russians (minimal help) and/or the Chinese (ancient enemy of the vietnamese). ssk sorgulama You would think he would have learned from others’
mistakes. Guess not. Republicans need an enemy. key ödemeleri This
century it apparently will be all Muslims, health all of whom must
be alQaeda operatives.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:57 pm