Clemency for more than a dozen Jews
January 29, 2021
(JTA) In the final hours of his presidency, Donald Trump awarded clemency to more than a dozen Jews who had been convicted of crimes but not Sheldon Silver, the disgraced former New York State Assembly speaker.
Silver was not on the list of 143 people granted clemency, a traditional act for outgoing presidents. That means the former Democratic power broker will continue serving a prison term on corruption charges.
The New York Times reported that Trump abandoned a plan to give clemency to Silver at the urging of New York Republicans and the New York Post.
Florida businessman convicted of $1BILLION Medicare fraud spent NYE dancing at his daughter s wedding days after Trump commuted his 20-year prison sentence citing his declining health
Philip Esformes was among the slew of convicts pardoned by President Trump in the final days of his presidency
Esformes, 51, was convicted on 20 criminal counts in a $1billion Medicare fraud scheme in 2019
The healthcare executive was sentenced to 20 years in prison but only served 4
White House claimed the move had been supported by a number of former attorneys general and said Esformes is in declining health
Just days after his release, Esformes spent New Year s Eve dancing at his daughter Serena s wedding held in his backyard
Trump Releases Lower Hudson Valley Man From 845-Year Prison Term
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Early Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump pardoned 73 people and commuting the sentences of 70 others. A Hudson Valley man was among the 143 people Trump granted clemency.
In February 2000, Sholam Weiss of Monsey was sentenced to 845 years in federal prison for setting up an insurance fraud scheme that stole around $450 million from the National Heritage Life Insurance Company, based in Orlando. His sentence was later reduced to 835 years in prison.
The White House released the following statement on releasing Weiss from prison
Shalom Weiss – President Trump commuted the sentence of Shalom Weiss. This commutation is supported by former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese, former Solicitors General Ken Starr and Seth Waxman, former United States Representative Bob Barr, numerous members of the New York legislature, notable legal figures such as Professor Alan Dersh
Jews who made the cut included several whose crimes affected Jewish communities or who had support of Aleph Institute, an organization that works with Jews who are incarcerated
Albert Pirro had been among those expected to be on the list issued in the early hours of Wednesday morning. But when he was not, his ex-wife lobbied Trump directly.