"FALN Commutation of 1999Edit

On August 11, 1999, Clinton commuted the sentences of 16 members of*FALN, which is a Puerto Rican paramilitary organization that set off 120 bombs in the United States, mostly in New York City and Chicago. There were convictions for conspiracy to commit robbery, bomb-making, and*sedition, as well as firearms and explosives violations.[5]*The 16 were convicted of conspiracy and sedition and sentenced with terms ranging from 35 to 105 years in prison. Congress, however, recognizes that the FALN is responsible for "6 deaths and the permanent maiming of dozens of others, including law enforcement officials." Clinton offered clemency on the condition that the prisoners renounce violence, seeing as none of the 16 had been convicted of harming anyone and they had already served 19 years in prison. This action was lobbied for by ten Nobel Laureates and the Archbishop of Puerto Rico.[6]*The commutation was opposed by the*U.S. Attorney's Office, the*FBI, and the*Federal Bureau of Prisons*and was criticized by many, including former victims of FALN terrorist activities and the*Fraternal Order of Police.[7]*Hillary Clinton, then*campaigning*for her first term in the Senate, initially supported the commutation,[8]*but later withdrew her support.[9]

Congress condemned this action by President Clinton, with votes of 95–2 in the Senate and 311–41 in the House.[10][11]*The*U.S. House Committee on Government Reform*held an investigation on the matter, but the*Justice Department*prevented FBI officials from testifying.[12]*President Clinton cited*executive privilege*for his refusal to turn over some documents to Congress related to his decision to offer clemency to members of the FALN terrorist group.

Among those who accepted clemency are:

Edwin Cortes, sentenced to 35 years in prison.Elizam Escobar, sentenced to 60 years in prison.Ricardo Jimenez, sentenced to 90 years in prison.Adolfo Matos, sentenced to 70 years in prison.Dylcia Noemi Pagan, sentenced to 55 years in prison.Alicia Rodríguez, sentenced to 55 years in prison.Ida Luz Rodriguez, sentenced to 75 years in prison.Luis Rosa, sentenced to 75 years in prison.Carmen Valentin, sentenced to 90 years in prison.Alberto Rodriguez, sentenced to 35 years in prison.Alejandrina Torres, sentenced to 35 years in prison.Juan Enrique Segarra-Palmer, sentenced to 55 years in prison; released on 25 January 2004.[13][14]

Those who rejected clemency include:

Antonio Camacho-Negron, sentenced to 15 years in prison; released in 2004.Oscar López Rivera, sentenced to 70 years in prison, released in 2017 after sentence was commuted by President*Barack Obama"


Bill Clinton pardon controversy - Wikipedia