Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants pardons to two dozen applicants, denies one and continues one case

HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles convened a virtual absolute-pardon hearing on July 17 and voted to grant absolute pardons to the majority of applicants heard, denied one application and continued another to the August docket.

The panel presiding over the hearing reminded applicants that any pardon granted is tentative until the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification completes record checks and confirms that electronic records can be erased, a process the board said may take up to 10 weeks.

Why it matters: An absolute pardon, if finalized after the required record checks, removes a person’s conviction from state criminal records and can affect licensing and employment opportunities. The board repeatedly told applicants that a granted pardon is not a finding of innocence and that erased records may still appear in some third-party background checks or on the open internet.

Most decisions were unanimous. The board granted pardons to applicants who, in their testimony and supporting materials, described long-term sobriety, steady employment, family responsibilities and community involvement. One application was denied after board members cited repeated recent alcohol-related offenses and concerns about coping skills. One case was continued at the request of the Office of Victim Services.

The hearing included victim input in several cases. In Joseph Glover’s case a victim-read statement described ongoing contact and support for Glover’s role in co-parenting and urged the board to grant clemency; the board then voted to grant Glover an absolute pardon. In another matter heard during the session, a victim statement described being struck by a vehicle; the victim told the board she forgave the applicant and preferred rehabilitation over incarceration; the board granted that pardon as well.

Board procedure and next steps: The hearing coordinator and the chair emphasized that all grants at the meeting are tentative until state identification checks are completed. Applicants will receive an e-mail or mailed letter with the board’s decision within one week and a certificate of pardon by mail once the Connecticut State Police confirms record erasure. The board also posts results to its website within 48 hours of the hearing.

Votes at a glance (applicant — outcome — board vote; outcomes are tentative pending record checks): Juan Francisco Bonilla Jr. — approved — 3–0 (Chance, Rodriguez, Chair Jennifer Medina Zaganini) Saul Serrano — approved — 3–0 Albeo Claudio (recorded in the transcript also as Fabio/Javier Claudio) — approved — 3–0 Joseph Glover — approved — 3–0 (victim statement in support entered by Office of Victim Services) Alan Diverger — continued to August docket — 3–0 (continuance requested by Office of Victim Services) Antiesha/Antasia/Fantasia Pride (recorded under slight name variants in the transcript) — approved — 3–0 (victim statement read by Office of Victim Services described injury; victim said she preferred the applicant not be jailed) Jaslyn (Jocelyn) Adams — approved — 3–0 Frank Burchard (recorded also as Bouchard/Bachard in transcript) — approved — 3–0 Maria Bolden — approved — 3–0 Eugene Brennan — denied — 3–0 (board cited recent DUI history, repeated patterns and insufficient coping strategies) Antonio Rock (Rocca) — approved — 3–0 Robin Cullen — approved — 3–0 Jean Esteburn II — approved — 3–0 Christian Feliciano — approved — 3–0 David Foreman Sr. — approved — 3–0 Alexander Garrabito (Garavito in transcript variations) — approved — 3–0 Larry Garcia III — approved — 3–0 Angelique Hanson — approved — 3–0 Nelson Rodriguez — approved — 3–0 Stanley Ramstein — approved — 3–0 Ryan Shriver — approved — 3–0 Damien Tuck — approved — 3–0 Mark Wingster — approved — 3–0

What board members said and why: Chair Jennifer Medina Zaganini opened the hearing by explaining the board’s authority and the difference between an absolute pardon and exoneration, noting that “an absolute pardon, if granted, may result in the complete erasure of your record of criminal convictions in the State” but is not a finding of innocence. Board members repeatedly pressed applicants with histories of domestic violence or repeated substance-related offenses about steps they had taken toward treatment, coping skills and accountability. The lone denial — Eugene Brennan — followed questioning about his pattern of DUI arrests, incomplete recovery supports and recent reoffending; the board cited the seriousness of his offenses in applying its denial standard.

Victim statements and continuity of oversight: The Office of Victim Services participated by phone in several matters and provided victims the opportunity to address the panel. In multiple cases the board noted victim input when making decisions. Several successful applicants were urged by panelists to continue counseling, maintain sobriety supports (including getting a sponsor or continued therapy where recommended), and, where appropriate, to make direct amends to victims if and when that can be done safely.

Closing and administrative notes: The chair and hearing coordinator reiterated that all pardons granted at the hearing are tentative and contingent on successful record checks by the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification. The board said it may take up to 10 weeks for state police clearance and for the board to issue a mailed certificate of pardon; applicants are instructed not to state they have no conviction until they have received the certificate. Applicants will receive an e-mail or mailed letter within one week with the panel’s decision. The full results will be posted on the board’s website within 48 hours.

The board’s docket included roughly two dozen cases and the hearing concluded after the panel finished votes on the listed applicants. Several board members encouraged applicants to continue community service and ongoing treatment or counseling when applicable.