President Biden's large-scale acts of clemency, including pardons for 39 individuals and commutations for nearly 1,500 Americans, have ignited debate across the political landscape. Critics cite concerns over the pardoning of individuals convicted of serious crimes, including former judge Michael Conahan involved in the 'kids for cash' scandal and Rita Crundwell, who embezzled millions from her city.
President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and first lady Jill Biden, delivered his remarks at the Democratic National Committee's Holiday Reception at the Willard Hotel in Washington on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Biden's recent decision to grant clemency to nearly 1,500 Americans and pardon 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes has sparked controversy across the political spectrum.
The move, announced last week, marks the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, criticized Biden's commutation for former judge Michael Conahan, who was convicted in 2011 for his role in the 'kids for cash' scandal. Conahan and another judge were found guilty of accepting bribes to send juveniles to private detention centers. Shapiro stated: 'I do feel strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This was not only a black eye on the community, the Kids for Cash scandal, but it also affected families in really deep and profound and sad ways. Some children took their lives because of this. Families were torn apart. There's all kinds of mental health issues and anguish that came as a result of these corrupt judges deciding they wanted to make a buck off a kid's back,' Shapiro said. Former Dixon, Illinois, comptroller and treasurer Rita Crundwell, who was convicted in 2013 of embezzling $53.7 million from the city and was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison, was also granted clemency. Crundwell's case remains the biggest municipal fraud case in U.S. history. Other critics voiced concern over Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, calling it 'kind of a dangerous' precedent. The pardon covers any crimes Hunter may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1 of this year
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