Jenkins was sentenced to ten years for accepting bribes to appoint untrained deputies, a decision Trump attributes to an unfair trial.
Trump Grants Pardon to Former Sheriff Convicted of Bribery
Trump Grants Pardon to Former Sheriff Convicted of Bribery
Former Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was convicted of fraud, receives a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.
In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has pardoned Scott Jenkins, a former sheriff from Virginia who was previously convicted of multiple counts of bribery and fraud. Jenkins, who served as sheriff of Culpeper County, faced serious legal repercussions after being found guilty in December for accepting over $75,000 in bribes from several businessmen looking to gain police powers without undergoing required training. This controversial decision comes just as Jenkins was preparing to report to prison, where he was sentenced to ten years in March.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce the pardon, expressing sympathy for Jenkins and claiming that he is a "victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice." According to Trump, Jenkins was wrongfully convicted and described the former sheriff as a "wonderful person" who was "left for dead" by the judicial system. The trial was overseen by a judge appointed by President Biden, during which Jenkins was convicted of numerous charges, including conspiracy and bribery, some stemming from payments made by undercover FBI agents.
Critics have pointed to Jenkins's actions as a blatant violation of his obligations as an elected official, with prosecutors asserting that he exploited his position for personal gain. They noted that the bribed businessmen paid for sheriff's office positions to have privileges like avoiding traffic violations while carrying firearms illegally. The acting U.S. attorney in Virginia emphasized that Jenkins's case serves as a warning that public officials found guilty of corrupt behavior will be held accountable.
Jenkins, who had been a supporter of Trump since his initial campaign, reportedly reached out for a pardon with the belief that, if Trump were aware of his full story, he would be inclined to intervene. Over the years, Jenkins has been re-elected multiple times, suggesting a degree of local support but also raising concerns about political patrons bypassing justice.
This pardon aligns with Trump’s broader pattern of granting clemency to individuals connected to his political circle, continuing a trend observed since he took office. As constitutional scholars note, the authority to issue pardons is a presidential power that includes easing the legal consequences of offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
With this pardon, Jenkins's rights, including the ability to vote and run for office, are restored while raising questions about the implications of political influence in judicial matters.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce the pardon, expressing sympathy for Jenkins and claiming that he is a "victim of an overzealous Biden Department of Justice." According to Trump, Jenkins was wrongfully convicted and described the former sheriff as a "wonderful person" who was "left for dead" by the judicial system. The trial was overseen by a judge appointed by President Biden, during which Jenkins was convicted of numerous charges, including conspiracy and bribery, some stemming from payments made by undercover FBI agents.
Critics have pointed to Jenkins's actions as a blatant violation of his obligations as an elected official, with prosecutors asserting that he exploited his position for personal gain. They noted that the bribed businessmen paid for sheriff's office positions to have privileges like avoiding traffic violations while carrying firearms illegally. The acting U.S. attorney in Virginia emphasized that Jenkins's case serves as a warning that public officials found guilty of corrupt behavior will be held accountable.
Jenkins, who had been a supporter of Trump since his initial campaign, reportedly reached out for a pardon with the belief that, if Trump were aware of his full story, he would be inclined to intervene. Over the years, Jenkins has been re-elected multiple times, suggesting a degree of local support but also raising concerns about political patrons bypassing justice.
This pardon aligns with Trump’s broader pattern of granting clemency to individuals connected to his political circle, continuing a trend observed since he took office. As constitutional scholars note, the authority to issue pardons is a presidential power that includes easing the legal consequences of offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
With this pardon, Jenkins's rights, including the ability to vote and run for office, are restored while raising questions about the implications of political influence in judicial matters.
