Posted by Jed Lewison on Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 8:44 PM Pacific

Bush Revokes A Pardon

Weird:

The developer, Isaac R. Toussie, who was listed Tuesday as one of the beneficiaries of the president's constitutional power to wipe away a criminal record, is not being pardoned "based on information that has subsequently come to light," the White House said late Wednesday afternoon.

The terse White House statement did not elaborate, but officials familiar with the case said that presidential aides -- and perhaps President Bush himself -- were concerned about appearances, because Mr. Toussie's father, Robert, donated $28,500 to the Republican National Committee last April, for what apparently was his first political contribution. He also donated $2,300 to the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain.

I guess it's the right thing to do. But how in the world did they issue the pardon in the first place?

And now that the've retracted it, are they still considering offering it? This part of the the NYT article suggests they may yet issue the pardon:

But the White House's announcement on Wednesday noted that the United States pardon attorney, Ronald L. Rodgers, had not made a recommendation on the Toussie case, and that President Bush believed he "should have an opportunity" to do so.

...Another of Mr. Toussie's lawyers, Bradford A. Berenson of Washington, said his client was pleased that a pardon was initially announced Tuesday and held out hope that it might still come true. "Mr. Toussie looks forward to the pardon attorney's expeditious review of the application," Mr. Berenson said.

As I said...weird.

Bush Revokes A Pardon

Weird:

The developer, Isaac R. Toussie, who was listed Tuesday as one of the beneficiaries of the president's constitutional power to wipe away a criminal record, is not being pardoned "based on information that has subsequently come to light," the White House said late Wednesday afternoon.

The terse White House statement did not elaborate, but officials familiar with the case said that presidential aides -- and perhaps President Bush himself -- were concerned about appearances, because Mr. Toussie's father, Robert, donated $28,500 to the Republican National Committee last April, for what apparently was his first political contribution. He also donated $2,300 to the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain.

I guess it's the right thing to do. But how in the world did they issue the pardon in the first place?

And now that the've retracted it, are they still considering offering it? This part of the the NYT article suggests they may yet issue the pardon:

But the White House's announcement on Wednesday noted that the United States pardon attorney, Ronald L. Rodgers, had not made a recommendation on the Toussie case, and that President Bush believed he "should have an opportunity" to do so.

...Another of Mr. Toussie's lawyers, Bradford A. Berenson of Washington, said his client was pleased that a pardon was initially announced Tuesday and held out hope that it might still come true. "Mr. Toussie looks forward to the pardon attorney's expeditious review of the application," Mr. Berenson said.

As I said...weird.

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