President Biden made history last week by granting clemency to more than 1,500 people, including individuals with a sweeping list of commutations and pardons. However, the move has been met with fierce backlash from critics, who point out that some of those included on the list have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars through their fraudulent actions.
Among those granted clemency was Rita Crundwell, a former comptroller in Dixon, Illinois, who was convicted and sentenced to nearly 20 years behind bars for using her position to steal nearly $54 million from the small town best known for being the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan. Additionally, Paul M. Daugerdas, a former New York law partner, was granted clemency after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a multibillion-dollar tax fraud scheme, and Toyosi Alatishe, who used the personal information of patients with severe mental deficiencies and physical disabilities to file fraudulent tax returns.
The decision has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, with Illinois state Sen. Andrew Chesney calling it “nothing short of a slap in the face to the people of Dixon” and “sickening.” Illinois Rep. Darin LaHood added that the commutation was a “slap in the face” to those impacted by Crundwell’s crime and that it was “apparently extending clemency to anyone with political connections, including corrupt government employees.”
Many of the individuals granted clemency were involved in white-collar crimes, including those that defrauded public funds. The administration also commuted the sentence of Michael Conahan, a former judge who imposed harsh sentences against juveniles in exchange for $2.8 million in illegal payments, known as the “kids for cash” scandal.
Critics have accused the administration of prioritizing political connections over the harm caused to victims of fraud and other crimes. The administration has defended the move, stating that it was made after careful consideration and that the individuals granted clemency were on good behavior, had low recidivism risk, and had successfully reintegrated into their communities.