CA-50: Issa says Trump clemency for Hunter could save imprisonment costs
On the day Rep. Duncan Hunter pleaded guilty to misuse of campaign funds in federal court, a GOP stalwart seeking Hunter’s congressional seat in the most respectful way was publicly discussing a possibility that had previously only been “what-if” chatter among people following the case.
In an interview with the Union-Tribune editorial board Tuesday, former Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican insider who once chaired the powerful House oversight committee, talked seriously about presidential clemency should Hunter be sentenced to prison on March 17.
“It’s not my decision. It’s the president’s decision,” Issa said when asked about a pardon. “But I would certainly say the commuting of sentencing… has a certain ability to balance the public good. Are we better off spending $60,000 a year to put him behind bars or are we better off with him doing community service and going on with his life with the likelihood of him committing a crime in the future being pretty low?”
Issa, who withdrew his nomination by Trump for a trade post to run for Hunter’s seat, adds some credence to the idea of presidential action on Hunter’s behalf.
Hunter was indicted on federal charges that he stole $250,000 of campaign money and used it for family vacations, groceries, extramarital affairs and other non-campaign uses. He could be sentenced to five years in prison, although he’s more likely to get eight to 14 months.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2019-12-05/trump-clemency-could-save-taxpayers-the-cost-of-imprisoning-rep-hunter-issa-says?via=newsletter&source=BI-CS-Politics
= new reply since forum marked as read
Don't make me laugh! 
