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“Although the email conceded that the President had the ultimate authority to make a decision on the pardon, the email nevertheless implied that the Office of the Pardon Attorney was not sending the recommendation to the President and instead was usurping the role of final decision maker on the pardon,” the six-page complaint states.
Exotic says his attorneys responded that the office is required under federal regulations to forward the pardon application to the president for him to decide.
“In response to this reminder, William Taylor, with the US Pardon Attorney Office, acknowledged the President’s plenary power,” the complaint states. “However, the US Pardon Attorney Office has yet to forward the pardon with a recommendation to the president.”