Trump pardons Chris Collins, former congressman in prison for insider trading
Former Congressman Chris Collins, who starting serving a 26-month sentence in a federal prison in October, has been pardoned by President Donald J. Trump.
Chris Collins
Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Trump for president on Feb. 24, 2016. He also was a frequent Trump surrogate, appearing on many news programs to speak on behalf of Trump and his policies.
Collins was charged with conspiring to commit securities fraud and making false statements to the FBI. He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison and on Oct. 13 he reported to a minimum security federal prison camp in Pensacola, Fla.
In a news release from the White House, President Trump granted the full pardon “at the request of many Members of Congress.”
The news release notes that Collins served in Congress for nearly seven years, and “spent his early career as a successful businessman and entrepreneur, before devoting his life to public service.”
Collins was elected County Executive for Erie County in 2007, and served one four-year term.
“During his tenure in Congress, Mr. Collins was known for his particular focus on the wellbeing of small businesses, agriculture, and sciences,” according to the White House press release.
Trump also pardoned Duncan Hunter, a California congressman who pled guilty to misusing campaign funds.
Nate McMurray lost a close race to Collins for the 27th Congressional District in November 2018. He said on Twitter soon after the news broke about Collins that Republicans should denounce the pardon.
“Disgraceful, but sadly we predicted it,” McMurray tweeted. “No justice. No ethics. No dignity.”
