So I'm looking at a list of Bush's Pardons.....

**Sal Paradise** · 11-24-2008, 09:45 PM

Actually, some one on another board caught it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081124/...h/bush_pardons
Bush's Pardon List
_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.

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**Sal Paradise** · 11-24-2008, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by Sal Paradise

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.

wait what ...

**liL Ray** · 11-24-2008, 09:52 PM

eh, I can live with these...

I guess Leonard Peltier didn't make the list, huh? damn shame....

**Sal Paradise** · 11-24-2008, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Sal Paradise

John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J.,

Bush pardoned . ....

**DeesKo** · 11-24-2008, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by Sal Paradise

Bush pardoned . ....

wasn't that some hip-hop producer or rapper or something a few years back, had something to do with Wyclef ?

**Sal Paradise** · 11-24-2008, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Sal Paradise

John Forte

Really glad to hear he is getting out, never would have seen it coming this way.

Leonard Peltier should be the first person Obama pardons.

**liL Ray** · 11-24-2008, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by DeesKo

wasn't that some hip-hop producer or rapper or something a few years back, had something to do with Wyclef ?

http://streetknowledge.wordpress.com...ns-john-forte/

John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., a graduate of the elite Phillips Exeter Academy prep school who later became a producer for the rap group The Fugees and released two albums on his own, was caught in 2000 at Newark International Airport with two briefcases filled with $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine, according to court documents.

Forte, 33, a first-time offender, was convicted of possessing the 31 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute and was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years at Fort Dix, N.J. (Forte’s Web site)

Among vocal advocates on Forte’s behalf have been singer Carly Simon, along with her son James, and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

**Sal Paradise** · 11-24-2008, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by DeesKo

wasn't that some hip-hop producer or rapper or something a few years back, had something to do with Wyclef ?

Exactly, an MC. He has been locked up for awhile. He used to be around in the 90's a lot.

**simon b** · 11-24-2008, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by Sal Paradise

Exactly, an MC. He has been locked up for awhile. He used to be around in the 90's a lot.

There was great article on him a few years ago, might have been the New Yorker or maybe Rollling Stone.

**DeesKo** · 11-24-2008, 10:08 PM

So what was so special about Forte's case (aside from the fact that he was a musician) that even made this onto Orin Hatch's radar to begin with, or warrant a reduction in sentence by the President of the US ?

**liL Ray** · 11-24-2008, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by DeesKo

So what was so special about Forte's case (aside from the fact that he was a musician) that even made this onto Orin Hatch's radar to begin with, or warrant a reduction in sentence by the President of the US ?

liquid cocaine?

just an educational guess...

carry on.

**Leslie** · 11-24-2008, 10:21 PM

I'm interested to know how Carly Simon and her son became involved and how Orin Hatch spoke on his behalf?

**liL Ray** · 11-24-2008, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Leslie

I'm interested to know how Carly Simon and her son became involved and how Orin Hatch spoke on his behalf?

maybe PWW can enlighten us....

maybe they needed their dealer out...

maybe it's just about the cocaine...

maybe they just read an article on the subject...

maybe the dude was actually innocent...

**DeesKo** · 11-24-2008, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by liL Ray

liquid cocaine?

just an educational guess...

carry on.

In 2000, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute after accepting a briefcase containing $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine.[1] While on trial and under house arrest, he completed a second album, I, John. He was convicted and sentenced to the mandatory minimum 14 years after being found guilty of possession of 31 pounds of liquid cocaine with intent to distribute.[2]

So, according to this math each kilo of this "liquid cocaine" was worth $100k.

Now, I know its been a long time since I lived in Florida, but $100k a key? GTFOH.

**DeesKo** · 11-24-2008, 10:40 PM

This is taken from the International Herald Tribune:

In the mid-1990s, John Forte was a musical comer, writing, performing and producing tracks on the Fugees' Grammy-winning album, "The Score," as well as Wyclef Jean's solo album "The Carnival." He rapped on a Michael Jackson CD and produced music for Public Enemy. Several times, he visited Simon's farm, where he and Ben sang backup vocals for Carly's album "The Bedroom Tapes." He also sang backup on her tour. In 1999, he recorded his first album, "Poly Sci." When it failed to sell, he was dropped by Columbia Records. He needed money.

And that is where his real troubles began. An acquaintance in a club where he was an occasional D.J. asked him to recruit two women to transport a package for him; in turn, Forte - who says he thought the package contained money - would be paid. In July 2000, the women were busted at the Houston airport with 30 pounds, or 13.6 kilograms, of liquid cocaine.

They led the police to Forte, who adamantly maintained his innocence, turning down a plea bargain because he felt certain he could win at trial, which took place in September 2001.

Forte was acquitted of conspiracy but convicted of drug trafficking. Under mandatory minimums, he received a 14-year sentence. He was 26 years old.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/...ures/carly.php

The article also talks at length about how he developed a relationship with Carly Simon.

Peace

**mhd** · 11-25-2008, 12:12 AM

good for him, wonder what happened to the girls...

**david_mancuso** · 11-25-2008, 08:30 AM

While almost no Presidential pardons look good, this one looks really awkward. Was Forte Bu$h's friend? Unlikely. Was there money under the table involved? Was he Bu$h's dealer? Only his hairdresser knows.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
Wiki on John Forte...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fort%C3%A9

**Fletch** · 11-25-2008, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Leslie

I'm interested to know how Carly Simon and her son became involved and how Orin Hatch spoke on his behalf?

A few conservatives have come out in favor of reform. I don't know whether a few of their constituents got long terms due to the policy.........

**Moksha** · 11-25-2008, 11:39 AM

Very surprised to see so many drug offenders on that list.

**mhd** · 11-25-2008, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by david_mancuso

While almost no Presidential pardons look good, this one looks really awkward. Was Forte Bu$h's friend? Unlikely. Was there money under the table involved? Was he Bu$h's dealer? Only his hairdresser knows.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
Wiki on John Forte...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fort%C3%A9

kid from brownsville is awarded a violin scholarship to exeter where he meets ben taylor's cousin, ben taylor is the son of james taylor and carly simon, kid has great success with the fugees, makes a mistake, first time offender gets 14 years due to draconian mandatory minimum sentencing laws which don't allow judges to exercise discretion, kid serves 8 years and due largely to the efforts of carly simon kid is pardoned and should be home in a month, the only awkward thing is that george bush was persuaded to see the injustice in the kids sentence