President Biden's decision to grant clemency to nearly 1,500 Americans, including former judge Michael Conahan and Rita Crundwell, has ignited debate and criticism.
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, Sunday, December 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)\Biden's recent decision to grant clemency to nearly 1,500 Americans and pardon 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes has sparked controversy.
The move, announced last week, marks the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history.\Among those granted clemency was former judge Michael Conahan, who was convicted in 2011 for his role in the 'kids for cash' scandal. Pennsylvania Democratic Representative Matt Cartwright criticized Biden's commutation, stating, '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.'\Rita Crundwell, former comptroller and treasurer of Dixon, Illinois, who was convicted in 2013 of embezzling $53.7 million from the city and sentenced to over 19 years in prison, was also granted clemency. Some critics expressed outrage over Crundwell's early release, citing her role in the largest municipal fraud case in U.S. history.\Additionally, Republican lawmaker, 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
CLEMENCY BIDEN HUNTER BIDEN MICHAEL CONAHAN RITA CRUNDWELL KIDS FOR CASH
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden's Mass Clemency Sparks Controversy Over Inclusion of FraudstersPresident Biden's historic act of clemency is facing backlash due to the inclusion of individuals who committed financial fraud, costing taxpayers millions.
Read more »
Biden's Mass Clemency Sparks ControversyPresident Biden's decision to commute the sentences of nearly 1,500 inmates, including former Pennsylvania judge Michael Conahan convicted in the 'kids-for-cash' scandal, has sparked criticism.
Read more »
Biden’s Announcement of Mass Clemency Leaves 40 People to Languish on Death RowFearless Independent Journalism
Read more »
Having Pardoned His Son, Biden Faces Pressure to Enact Mass ClemencyFearless Independent Journalism
Read more »
Joe Biden Pardons Hunter Biden, Sparks GOP OutragePresident Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter Biden, leading to swift criticism from Republican lawmakers accusing Biden of hypocrisy and corruption. The pardons have intensified partisan tensions, with Republicans calling the move an abuse of power and a failure to uphold justice.
Read more »
Biden commutes 1,500 sentences in largest single-day grant of clemency in modern historyEvan graduated from the University of Missouri with a journalism degree and has now spent more than a decade writing and editing news and managing teams under the Scripps News umbrella.
Read more »