Trump Pardons Include People With Ties To North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — President Donald Trump issued a flurry of pardons and commuted sentences in the final hours of his presidency, including at least four with ties to North Carolina.

Trump granted pardons to 73 people and commuted the sentences of another 70 as one of his final acts before leaving office Wednesday.

Notably, he did not pardon himself or any members of his family or former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, his personal attorney.

In North Carolina, Trump pardoned Robert Cannon "Robin" Hayes, Patrick Swisher, James Hayes and Drew Boggs.

• Former North Carolina Republican Chair and state congressman Robin Hayes was granted a full pardon. "The former North Carolina Congressman is serving a 1-year term of probation for making a false statement in the course of a Federal investigation," the White House said. "Senator Thom Tillis and several members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation strongly support clemency for Mr. Hayes."
• A full pardon of Patrick Lee Swisher, who was convicted of tax fraud and making false statements, was endorsed by Rep. Dan Bishop, NASCAR's Rick Hendrick and others. "After his release from prison, Mr. Swisher started a successful business that employs over 1,000 individuals," the White House said. "He also is involved in a religious non-profit organization that provides college scholarships to those in his community."
• Rick Hendrick, along with Jeff Gordon also supported the full pardon of James Austin Hayes. "Nearly 10 years ago, Mr. Hayes was convicted of conspiracy to commit inside trading," the White House said. "Mr. Hayes cooperated immediately and extensively and disgorged all profits he earned in a related civil action. Since his conviction, Mr. Hayes has been active in his church and his community."
• North Carolina's Honorable David Lee was among those endorsing a full pardon of Carl Andrews Boggs, who pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy in 2013. "Since his release, Mr. Boggs has rebuilt his company, has employed hundreds of people, and has dedicated countless hours and financial resources to his community."

The full list of individuals granted clemency may be found here.

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Among the others who received a last-minute pardon or commutation from Trump was Steve Bannon, his former chief strategist. Bannon was charged last August, accused of duping thousands of donors who believed their money would be used to help fulfill Trump’s chief campaign promise to build a wall along the nation’s southern border.

Bannon was accused of diverting more than $1 million to pay a salary to a campaign official and personal expenses for himself, according to The Associated Press. His co-defendants in the case were not pardoned.

The Bannon pardon was especially notable in that the prosecution was still in its early stages and a trial was likely months away, The AP reported. The pardon will now nullify the prosecution and eliminate any possibility of punishment.

“Mr. Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen,” the White House wrote in a news release announcing his full pardon.

Rap performers, ex-members of Congress and other allies of the Trump family were among the others who received a pardon during the final 24 hours of the Trump presidency.

Rapper Lil Wayne was among them. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., the rapper’s real name, received a full pardon for his conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon more than 10 years ago, the White House said.

“Mr. Carter has exhibited this generosity through commitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of food banks,” the statement said.

Kodak Black, another rapper who was convicted of weapons charges in Florida, also received a pardon from Trump.

Former lawmakers pardoned include former Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican who was convicted on charges of corruption and money laundering; and former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham of California, who was convicted of accepting bribes from defense contractors.

Trump commuted the prison sentence of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has served seven years in prison for a racketeering and bribery scheme.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.