WGXC-90.7 FM

Schneiderman wants legislation in New York to close pardon loophole

Apr 19, 2018 11:14 am
Nick Niedzwiadek reports at Politico that Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wants lawmakers to close a double jeopardy loophole so that if President Donald Trump pardons himself or his aides they could still be prosecuted in New York. “Simply put, a defendant pardoned by the President for a serious federal crime could be freed from all accountability under federal and state criminal law, even though the President has no authority under the U.S. Constitution to pardon state crimes,” Schneiderman wrote in a letter to legislators. Gov. Andrew Cuomo seems to be on board. "Governor Cuomo believes that the federal legal system should not provide a basis for any wrongdoers to escape justice," spokesperson Dani Lever said in a statement. Read the full story at Politico.