Wisconsin Pardon Advisory Board hears more than 30 clemency applicants in virtual session; board to deliberate in closed session

The Governor's Pardon Advisory Board convened a virtual hearing Feb. 14 to hear testimony from more than 30 people seeking pardons. Chair Mel Barnes, the governor's chief legal counsel, and board members Myrna Warrington and Reverend Jerry Hancock heard five-minute presentations from applicants across two sessions and then moved into closed session to deliberate on recommendations to the governor.

Why it matters: A governor's pardon removes or mitigates the collateral consequences of a conviction — affecting employment, professional licensing, international travel and gun rights — and can influence an applicant's ability to work in caregiving, law, education and other regulated fields.

The hearing was largely procedural: applicants were asked to summarize their offenses, explain what they had done since completing sentences, and say why they sought a pardon. Many applicants described long periods of sobriety, steady employment, volunteer work and community involvement. Several applicants said a pardon would remove barriers to work or licensing; one said it would help with bar admission character-and-fitness reviews.

Notable applicants and testimony

- Jerome Locke, who said he was convicted after an officer was bitten during an arrest in 1988, told the board he has been sober and active in community organizations for decades. "I am no longer a threat to the society and have strong ties to the community," Locke said, and board chair Barnes noted Locke submitted 15 letters of support and a petition with roughly 130 signatures. (Testimony began during the morning session.)

- Carlesha "Carlesha Clark" Clark apologized for her offenses and described building a mobile-party business that she said she has supported herself with for seven years. Board staff clarified to Clark that the specific Wisconsin felony eligible for pardon in her file was a vehicle-operator flee-and-elude conviction; misdemeanors and out-of-state convictions are not within the board's pardon authority.

- Jasmine Bowles (who described caregiving work and training toward a second career) and several other applicants described recovery from substance use and long periods of sobriety; multiple applicants told the board they had completed treatment programs and volunteer work with youth and vulnerable adults.

- Several applicants described vocational or licensing barriers a pardon would remove: Ayesha Gibson and others said a felony record prevented them from serving as foster-care providers or doing clinical placements; one applicant, Vincent O'Neil, said he had been admitted to law school and testified, "A pardon would significantly help me with the character and fitness portion" of bar admission and with employment checks.

- Others emphasized local ties and steady employment: Ryan Lofink, who described decades-long volunteer service, said he was newly elected volunteer fire chief; Daniel Ballwig summarized a 2005 conviction and stressed long-term employment in IT; Larry March and Johnny Madlock described sobriety and sustained community service in their towns.

Procedural steps and next actions

Board Chair Mel Barnes told applicants that the board would meet in closed session after hearing testimony to decide whether to recommend individual applications to the governor. The board twice moved into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(a), (d) and (f) — the provisions the board cited permit closed deliberations on individual applications and on persons' personal histories. Each motion carried on an aye vote of the three board members present.

What the board heard about legal limits

Board staff reminded applicants that the board's power is limited by statute and that certain convictions (and out‑of‑state matters or misdemeanors) fall outside its authority. Staff specifically referenced the eligibility of Wisconsin vehicle-operator "flee and elude" felonies in at least one application.

Outcomes and timing

No final pardons were announced at the hearing. Board members said applicants should expect a written notice of the board's recommendation — whether the board refers the application to the governor — in roughly a month to six weeks. The governor makes the final decision on grant or denial.

Meeting context and signals

- Format: virtual (Zoom) public hearing, livestreamed. Applicants typically had five minutes; the first three minutes were for the three required topics (offense summary, post‑sentence activity, reason for seeking pardon). - Volume: more than 30 applicants gave oral testimony across morning and afternoon sessions. - Common themes: recovery and long-term sobriety, steady work or business ownership, volunteer service and caregiving, barriers to licensing or international travel, and requests to regain gun or professional privileges when statutory limits allow.

Next steps: The board has entered closed session to deliberate; applicants will receive written notice of the board's recommendation and, if the board forwards an application, the governor will decide whether to grant a pardon.