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Ex-Maine governor pardoned 2 people without hearing

Department of Corrections Director of Strategic Initiatives Anna Black said this month former Republican Gov. Paul LePage's office pardoned his late mentor's grandson and a former GOP lawmaker without going through that traditional process.

Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File

FILE- In this May 5, 2018, file photo Republican Gov. Paul LePage speaks at the Republican Convention in Augusta, Maine. The former governor of Maine said any elimination of the Electoral College would hurt white people. LePage told WVOM-AM that allowing the popular vote to choose the president would give minorities more power and that “white people will not have anything to say.” Proposals to eliminate the Electoral College are often floated but fail to gain traction. A Maine legislative committee plans to discuss a proposal this week.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine's corrections department says the former governor pardoned two people in his last days in office without consulting the clemency board and holding a public hearing.

Department of Corrections Director of Strategic Initiatives Anna Black said this month former Republican Gov. Paul LePage's office pardoned his late mentor's grandson and a former GOP lawmaker without going through that traditional process.

Maine's Constitution says the governor has the sole power to grant pardons.

But former chairman of the clemency board Leonard Sharon says he never saw a governor grant a pardon without a public hearing in his 27½ -year tenure.

The state released the list of 112 people pardoned by LePage following a public records request by The Associated Press. LePage's representatives didn't respond to requests for comment.