Evers pardons 30 more people, raises pardon total to 337

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has pardoned 30 more people, raising his pardon total to 337 over his first three years in office.

He's now surpassed the nearly 300 pardons that former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle issued over eight years in office.

Evers announced the additional pardons Tuesday, Dec. 28.

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually on Nov. 12, 2021, and applications that were selected for expedited review or recommended by the board were forwarded to Gov. Evers for final consideration.

Most of the pardons he granted involved drug offenses. Other offenses included fraud, fleeing an officer, theft and a home invasion.

“I’m proud of our work to give a second chance to folks who’ve made amends and paid their debt to society,” said Gov. Evers. “These individuals have recognized and acknowledged their past mistakes, and this sends a powerful message of redemption as each of them work to build a brighter, better future for themselves and their communities.”

A pardon doesn't erase a conviction but it does restore an offender's rights, including the right to own a firearm, the right to vote and the right to hold public office and various licenses.

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will continue to meet virtually monthly and will reconvene again on Jan. 14, 2022. That hearing will air on wiseye.org/live from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.