The Ethical Dilemma of Pardons: Jeff Grant Weighs In on Bloomberg
Admin
Should Access to Power Determine Who Gets a Clean Slate?
As presidential pardons dominate legal and political discussions, an increasing number of white-collar defendants are seeking clemency for their federal convictions. Among those closely observing this trend is Jeff Grant, an attorney in NYC and co-founder of Progressive Prison Ministries and the White Collar Support Group™ - both dedicated to supporting individuals navigating the complexities of the white-collar criminal justice system and life after incarceration.
In a recent Bloomberg article, Jeff shed light on the surge of inquiries he has received from individuals hoping to leverage connections to secure a presidential pardon.
“We have been hearing from people in prison, from people recently sentenced who haven’t reported to the Bureau of Prisons yet, from people who have been indicted,” Grant said. “They are looking for somebody who knows somebody.”
The federal pardon system is complex and often shrouded in uncertainty. Those seeking clemency quickly realize that their future may depend not only on the legal system but also on an intricate web of connections, advocacy, and access to power. Many hope that the right relationships can provide a lifeline to a second chance.
Jeff is committed to ethical advocacy and opposes the idea of prioritizing those with influence over individuals who have spent years languishing in prison or those faithfully abiding by the terms of their criminal judgments.
“I appreciate people want to do it and need to do it, but as an organization, we don’t get involved,” he stated.
Progressive Prison Ministries and the White Collar Support Group is working towards a systemic solution to post-conviction relief through its Expungement Initiative. This initiative aims to help individuals—especially those without wealth or political connections—clear their records and reclaim their futures.
"Our goal is clear - a fair and accessible pathway for all, not just for those with influence", says William Livolsi, Executive Director of Progressive Prison Ministries and the White Collar Support Group. Livolsi continues:
“A number of states have petition-based or automatic record-sealing laws on the books because they recognize the value and need for such relief. Short of a Presidential pardon there are limited federal expungement processes available for individuals with federal convictions. That’s shameful!”
“Our mission is to bring this issue back into the public discourse and advocate for federal legislation that removes political affiliation and political influence from the equation and provides fair and equitable access to relief for all Americans with federal criminal records.”
If you are interested in learning more, or in lending your time and talents to this effort, please reach out to info@prisonist.org.
You can read the Bloomberg article here.
