Rapper John Forte is one of 16 people to receive a pardon or reduced sentence from George Bush before he leaves office January 20, 2009.
Forte, 33, a first-time offender, was convicted of possessing the 31 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute and was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years at Fort Dix, N.J. (Forte’s Web site)
With the commutation, Forte will be released Dec. 22, after serving just over seven years. He still faces five years of supervised probation.
Among vocal advocates on Forte’s behalf have been singer Carly Simon, along with her son James, and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).
“Now is the perfect opportunity for John to be given the chance to provide positive benefits to society through his considerable musical talents,” Hatch wrote to Bush in a January 2007 letter. Source
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