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Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants pardons to dozens during July 1 docket
Summary
At a July 1 virtual session, the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles heard dozens of applicants and granted a large number of absolute pardons after brief testimony and victim‑impact input; several hearings were continued for follow‑up.
The Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles held an absolute‑pardon hearing via Zoom on July 1, 2026, during which the panel heard brief statements from dozens of applicants and voted on multiple requests for absolute pardons.
The hearing opened with parole officer Swanson explaining procedures and the board’s rules: a pardon is tentative until state records checks are completed and a certificate is mailed, and granting a pardon is not a finding of innocence. Chair Jennifer Medina Zakanini reminded applicants the board considers the nature of the crime, victim impact, time elapsed and evidence of rehabilitation when deciding whether to grant relief.
Applicants gave short testimonies about arrests decades earlier, treatment or sobriety milestones, steady employment and family responsibilities. The Office of Victim Services provided victim statements in several cases. Cases ranged from offenses more than 30 years old to more recent convictions; the board frequently asked clarifying questions about program completion, probation or registry status before voting.
Votes at a glance: the board moved and voted to grant absolute pardons in multiple matters heard on the docket, including Gerardo Solless Figureroa, Alexander Lee, Christopher Hanlin, Jeffrey Joy, Hakee Muhammad, Dennis Pagan, Christopher Post, Stanley Belton, Byron Bigalow, Chad Farrar, Khalil Herd, Jason Higgy, Donald Kerenus, Payton Lazio, Patrick Lee, Jordan Lindblad, Abel Maldonado Rosario, Hector Martinez, Dayquin Miller, Nathaniel Moore Jr., Willie Nixon, Filamina Orfatelli, Orlando Rivera Rosa, Johnny Sherrod, Joseph Scradullis Jr., Paul Smith Jr. and Robert Young Jr. Several other cases were continued to a later docket (for example, Paul Aldenoli and Jorge Santiago). For each grant the board’s motion language was the same: the presiding member moved to grant an absolute pardon and the panel voted in favor by recorded assent.
Not all hearings were uncontested: the Office of Victim Services read written opposition from a victim’s family in the Alexander Lee matter, which the board discussed at length before granting the pardon. The board emphasized that a pardon does not erase responsibility or exonerate an applicant and that victims’ statements are factored into its deliberations.
Practical notes for applicants: the chair and staff reiterated that pardons granted at the hearing are tentative and that it can take up to 10 weeks for the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification to clear records and for applicants to receive a certificate of pardon by mail. The board also warned applicants to disclose any arrests that occurred after their application; undisclosed arrests could revoke a tentative grant.
The hearing concluded at about 12:38 p.m. The board will post results to its website within 48 hours and notify applicants by email within one week.
Votes at a glance (selected items): - Gerardo Solless Figureroa — motion to grant absolute pardon; board voted to grant. (Chair moved, unanimous assent) - Alexander Lee — motion to grant absolute pardon; board voted to grant after victim statements opposing the pardon were read by the Office of Victim Services. - Paul Aldenoli — case continued to the next available docket. - Jorge Santiago — case continued to the next available docket.
The board indicated that follow‑up record checks and administrative steps remain before any pardon becomes final.
