BOSTON (AP) β Actor Mark Wahlberg’s plea for a pardon has focused fresh attention on excusing criminal acts β something governors rarely do because it’s so politically risky.
Massachusetts hasn’t approved a pardon in more than a decade. Republican Mitt Romney didn’t pardon anyone before he left as governor in 2007. Only now, in the twilight of his eight years in office, has Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick recommended any pardons.
Patrick has thrown his support behind four pardons and a commutation as he prepares to turn the office over to Republican Gov.-elect Charlie Baker. If approved, they’ll be the first pardons in Massachusetts since 2002 and the first commuted sentence in 17 years.
Wahlberg’s request isn’t among them. It’s still pending before the state parole board.
