Hip hop recording artist, songwriter and producer, John Forte, may be home for Christmas. The 33-yearold was among 14 felons recently pardoned by out-going President George W. Bush.
Hip hop recording artist, songwriter and producer, John Forte, may be home for Christmas. The 33-yearold was among 14 felons recently pardoned by out-going President George W. Bush.
Forte was arrested in 2000 at Newark International Airport after accepting a briefcase containing $1.4 million worth of cocaine. He was subsequently found guilty of possessing 31 pounds of liquid cocaine with the intent to distribute and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
The Fugees’ 1996 mega-hit album, The Score, featured two songs co-written and produced by Forte. Two years after that, he released his solo debut album, Poly Sci, with Wyclef Jean as one of its executive producers.
Growing up, Forte studied violin at the highly regarded Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire.
He is expected to be released from the Fort Dix Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, N.J. on Dec. 22.
A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that removes civil liabilities stemming from a criminal conviction.
Under the Constitution, the president’s power to issue pardons is absolute and cannot be overruled–meaning he can forgive anyone he wants, at any time.
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