Musician, producer and former Fugees member John Forte will be released from prison on Dec. 22, 2008 thanks to a presidential pardon from George W. Bush. Forte was arrested in 2000 while carrying two briefcases of liquid cocaine worth an estimated $1.4 million dollars through Newark International Airport.
Forte was convicted in 2001 of drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 years in prison, despite reportedly never having used drugs, never having been involved in drug trafficking previously, and pleading not guilty. Friend, fellow musician and collaborator Carly Simon lobbied for 7 years to have Forte pardoned and finally found sypathetic ears in Republican Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah) and, finally, President George W. Bush.
Forte is not the first musician to lobby for a presidential pardon. Def Jam executive artist Ron Isley lobbied for a presidential pardon in 2007 when he was convicted of income tax evasion. Isley was unsuccessful in his pardon request and is currently serving his 3 year sentence in federal prison.
David J. Hahn
David J. Hahn is a Broadway conductor and keyboard player. He co-founded MusicianWages.com with Cameron Mizell in 2008. Visit his new project, Songwriter.fm and sign up for his songwriting newsletter.
Are you sure Ronald Isley is a Def Jam exec? I know they were trying to help him get pardoned, since he’s on the label, but wasn’t aware he was doing anything on the business end…except for cheating on taxes, of course. ;)
Thanks David – I looked it up and I think you’re right. I changed that part in the article. Thanks!