Bush Issues 14 Pardons

President George W. Bush issued 14 pardons today and commuted the prison sentences of two others. Those pardoned include:

• Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas; convicted of illegal treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.
• Brenda Jean Dolenz-Helmer of Fort Worth, Texas; convicted of reporting or helping cover up a crime.
• William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas; sentenced for making false entries, books, reports or statements to a bank.
• Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Missouri; convicted of unauthorized use of a pesticide and violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
• Milton Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, South Dakota; 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, Illinois; convicted of making false statements to the federal government.
• Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Virginia; convicted of wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine.
• Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Georgia; accused of unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.
• Carey C. Hice of Travelers Rest, South Carolina; convicted of income tax evasion.
• Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Florida; convicted of bank embezzlement.
• Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Oklahoma; sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.
• Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Alabama; convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
• Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, California; convicted for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.
• Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Arkansas; convicted of aiding and abetting the theft of government property

Bush also commuted the prison sentences of John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, New Jersey and James Russell Harris of Detroit, Michigan, who were both convicted of cocaine offenses.

Bush has only pardoned 171 individuals and commuted the sentences of 8. This is less than half the number Bill Clinton or Ronald Reagan made. Nevertheless, more are expected before the end of Bush's term. Among those who have petitioned for clemency is former financier convicted of fraud in the 1980s, Michael R. Milken.

See our entry on Milken in Marquet International's White Collar Rogue's Gallery.