Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants most requests, denies one and continues two at April 2 hearing

The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles held an absolute pardon session via Zoom on April 2, 2025, and tentatively granted absolute pardons to most applicants, denied one request and continued two cases for follow-up. Chairperson Jennifer Medina Zacagnini presided; board members Nancy Turner and Robert Cizauskas joined the hearing. The board heard 25 matters during the session.

The board’s decisions were announced at the time each case was heard. Chairperson Jennifer Medina Zacagnini reminded applicants that any pardon granted at the hearing is “tentatively granted” until the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification completes record checks and the board issues a certificate of pardon by mail. She also noted the board may instead award a certificate of employability or deny relief, depending on suitability and records checks.

Why it matters: an absolute pardon, if finalized, removes a person’s state criminal conviction record in Connecticut and can affect employment, licensing and housing opportunities. The board emphasized that a pardon is not a finding of innocence: as Zacagnini told applicants, a pardon “is neither a finding of innocence nor an exoneration.” Applicants were repeatedly reminded not to claim their record is erased until they receive the physical certificate.

Votes at a glance

- Julio DeNicola — Absolute pardon granted (vote: 3–0). - Matthew Brand — Absolute pardon granted (vote: 3–0). - Glenn Sebastian — Absolute pardon granted (vote: 3–0). - Angel Marcano Lozada — Absolute pardon granted (vote: 2–1; Commissioner Nancy Turner recorded a dissenting…