Bush pardons 14 individuals, two months before end of his presidency
President George W. Bush has granted pardons to 14 individuals and commuted the
prison sentences of two others convicted of misdeeds including drug offences,
tax evasion, wildlife violations and bank embezzlement.
The new round of White House pardons announced Monday 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 offences involving hazardous
waste, food stamps, and the theft of government property.
Former media mogul Conrad Black has requested Bush commute his 6 1/2-year
prison sentence. But his name is not on the list.
Black, 64, was convicted last year of a $6.1-million fraud and obstruction of
justice related to his eight-year spell as head of Hollinger International Inc.
He is currently serving his sentence in Florida following an unsuccessful
appeal.
Bush has been stingy during his time in office about granting clemency, but
more grants are expected.
Including these actions, he has granted a total of 171 and eight commutations.
That's less than half as many as presidents Bill Clinton or Ronald Reagan
issued during their time in office. Both were two-term presidents, like Bush.
On the latest pardon list were:
-Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Mo., who pleaded guilty in 1995 to
unlawfully killing three bald eagles in southeast Missouri. He improperly used
pesticide in hamburger meat to kill coyotes, but ended up killing many other
animals, including the bald eagles. Collier, who was convicted for unauthorized
use of a pesticide and violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, was
sentenced Feb. 2, 1996 in the Eastern District of Missouri.
-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, convicted of concealing
knowledge of a crime. Dolenz-Helmer, the daughter of a Dallas doctor accused of
medical insurance fraud, was convicted in connection with the doctor's case.
She was sentenced Dec. 31, 1998 in the Northern District of Texas to four
year's probation with the special condition of 600 hours of community service
and a $10,000 fine.
-Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va. Harley was convicted of wrongful use
and distribution of marijuana and cocaine during a general court martial at the
U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
-Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offence 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 convicted of bank fraud.
-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. Both were convicted of
cocaine offences.
Under the Constitution, the president's power to issue pardons is absolute and
cannot be overruled.
Some other high-profile individuals, such as Michael Milken, are seeking a
pardon on securities fraud charges. Two politicians convicted of public
corruption - former Representative 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 country 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.
(With files from The Canadian Press)
The Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Uganda is in anarchy"
Groupe de communication Mulindwas
"avec Yoweri Museveni, l'Ouganda est dans l'anarchie"_______________________________________________
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