Bush pardons 14 and commutes 2 prison sentences

[GetSCORECash]

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.

Haven't found anywhere as to a reason why he would pardon, people who have defrauded the governement.

The crimes committed by those on the list also include offenses include food stamps, and the theft of government property.

[d-null]

that makes me wonder, what is it about these few people that makes them deserving of pardons and the rest of the prisoners in jail not?

[IllTestYourGirls]

pretty much on par with Clintons pardons

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pardonchartlst.htm

[The Duck]

Originally Posted by d-null

that makes me wonder, what is it about these few people that makes them deserving of pardons and the rest of the prisoners in jail not?

Very strange indeed.

[slapass]

A lot of it is deals with the justice system.

[GetSCORECash]

[LiveDose]

Let's not even make this a Bush thing. All presidents do it.

Nice to know people in high places. I'm sure Obama's list will be interesting as well...

[mynameisjim]

Intelligence agencies use companies to funnel money here and there and to raise money for efforts that otherwise couldn't get funding through normal or traceable channels.

I assume these people (and Clinton's pardons) are somehow associated with that process in one way or the other.

But who knows. I'm sure it's dirty at the top.

[IllTestYourGirls]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

pretty much on par with Clintons pardons

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pardonchartlst.htm

Originally Posted by LiveDose

Let's not even make this a Bush thing. All presidents do it.

Nice to know people in high places. I'm sure Obama's list will be interesting as well...

Seriously look at Clintons pardons they are basically the same exact as Bush's. Cocaine and drug dealers, people committing fraud, people stealing from the government and so on.

[tony286]

where do they find these people?

[MikeSmoke]

Originally Posted by tony404

where do they find these people?

follow the money.......

[Darkland]

Pretty sad he is freeing all these criminals when he SHOULD be freeing those border agents who are rotting in jail right now FOR DOING THEIR FUCKING JOB.

[Magnus]

I was hoping he would let Conrad Black out of jail.

[pornguy]

Originally Posted by Darkland

Pretty sad he is freeing all these criminals when he SHOULD be freeing those border agents who are rotting in jail right now FOR DOING THEIR FUCKING JOB.

[SmokeyTheBear]

"_Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony."

i wonder what that was all about.

[wootpr0n]

These are all BS crimes. Unlawful use of a telephone? Stealing food stamps? And what the fuck is the Bald Eagle Protection Act? These people should never have been jailed in the first place.

[LeRoy]

Lucky Bastards

[MovieMaster]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

pretty much on par with Clintons pardons

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pardonchartlst.htm

Except clinton pardoned twice as many as bush will probably.

[MovieMaster]

Originally Posted by Darkland

Pretty sad he is freeing all these criminals when he SHOULD be freeing those border agents who are rotting in jail right now FOR DOING THEIR FUCKING JOB.

Agreed if he doesn't stand up for those guys its fucked up

[collegeboobies]

All his old coke dealers get off, he's gotta have connections when he gets out of office

[andy83]

Originally Posted by Darkland

Pretty sad he is freeing all these criminals when he SHOULD be freeing those border agents who are rotting in jail right now FOR DOING THEIR FUCKING JOB.

very true.. someone should highlight this to him :/