George Bush, the Fugees, New Jersey and a Pardon

by: Jason Springer

Tue Nov 25, 2008 at 11:24:32 AM EST

Yes, somehow those three fit together and it took a Presidential pardon to make it happen. Via the Wash Post:

Grammy Award-winning rap artist John E. Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., will be released after serving about half of a 14-year sentence for aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Forte, whose clemency bid was supported by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), has been scheduled for release Dec. 22. He had performed with the Fugees and is a friend of and former backup singer for Carly Simon, who lobbied senior lawmakers, including Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), for his early release.

More on what landed him in prison in the first place:

John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., a graduate of the elite Phillips Exeter Academy prep school who later became a producer for the rap group The Fugees and released two albums on his own, was caught in 2000 at Newark International Airport with two briefcases filled with $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine, according to court documents.
Forte, 33, a first-time offender, was convicted of possessing the 31 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute and was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years at Fort Dix, N.J.

George Bush, the Fugees, Orrin Hatch, Ted Kennedy and Carly Simon make some combination. Forte will still have to serve 5 years probation. And because it's just to much fun to watch the President's follies, I wonder if George Bush did another dance when signing the pardon:

Jason Springer :: George Bush, the Fugees, New Jersey and a Pardon

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George Bush, the Fugees, New Jersey and a Pardon | 2 comments

The password is: Phillips Exeter (4.00 / 1)

which is also GWB's secondary school alma mater. One suspects there were lines of communication which aren't delineated by this story. (And if it were my kid, I'd be pulling any string I had, too - I just feel for the other however-many-they-are still in prison for the same or lesser crimes, who weren't fortunate enough to have shared a school with the sitting Pres.).

Lucky, lucky man, this John E. Forte. 31 lbs. of cocaine is ... an awful lot of cocaine.

by: denniscmcgrath @ Tue Nov 25, 2008 at 16:29:23 PM UTC

Let's say, for purposes of conversation... (4.00 / 1)

That I was busted for 31 lbs. (!!!) of fine Peruvian Marching and Blathering Powder. AKA: Krell.

I am from far more modest educational and, apparently, economic means and background. Suffice to say, the closest I ever got to Phillips Exeter was perhaps driving by it once or twice.

So what would happen to me?

They would be doing an archeological dig of the prison site I was remanded to, 10,000 years hence, and dig up my bones. That would be the earliest I would get out.

There are two justice systems in this nation, seperate and unequal. Never let anyone ever tell you differently.

The nom de plume has a long and distinguished history.

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf @ Tue Nov 25, 2008 at 18:23:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]