NEW YORK (Billboard) – Rapper/producer John Forte, who worked closely with the Fugees before being sent to prison on drug charges, had his sentence commuted Monday (November 24) by President George W. Bush.
The musician was arrested at Newark International Airport in 2000 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute. Police discovered Forte with two briefcases filled with liquid cocaine, which they estimated were worth $1.4 million.
He was sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 14 years and was serving time in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He will be released December 22 after serving just over seven years. He must serve five years of supervised probation......
Forte had several powerful allies pressing the White House for a pardon, including Republican senator Orrin Hatch, who moonlights as a successful songwriter, and pop star Carly Simon, whose son was a classmate of Forte's at the elite prep school Philips Exeter. Bush and his father also both attended Exeter.
Now I am not hating, I think doing that amount of time for drugs is excessive, it doesnt stop drug buys or crimes.
Plus you do more damage by taking men out of the community than reintroducing them back into it but now they are mentally worst off than before they were jailed.
But would any other brother have gotten that pardon?
Not if they didnt go to the elite prep school Philips Exeter.
If that's not an example of "It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know" I dont know what is.
Any way welcome back John the game has changed since you left.
Also on that list:
_Leslie Owen Collier of Charleston, Mo. She was convicted for unauthorized use of a pesticide and violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
_Milton Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, S.D. Cordes was 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, Ill., who was convicted of making false statements to the federal government.
_Brenda Jean Dolenz-Helmer of Fort Worth, Texas, for reporting or helping cover up a crime.
_Andrew Foster Harley of Falls Church, Va. Harley was convicted of wrongful use and distribution of marijuana and cocaine.
_Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense was unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.
_Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., who was convicted of income tax evasion.
_Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Fla., convicted of bank embezzlement.
_William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, who was sentenced for making false entries, books, reports or statements to a bank.
_Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla., who was sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.
_Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Ala., who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
_Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.
_Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, convicted of illegal treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.
_Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark., who was convicted of aiding and abetting the theft of government property.
