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Governor's Pardon Advisory Board hears dozens of applicants, then moves to closed session
Summary
Dozens of people seeking pardons made brief statements at a public Zoom hearing; applicants cited barriers to employment, travel and firearm rights, while some district attorneys signaled support or opposition; the board voted to deliberate in closed session and will notify applicants in roughly a month to six weeks.
Madison — The Governor's Pardon Advisory Board heard from dozens of applicants at a public Zoom hearing on Wednesday, then voted to move into closed session to deliberate and decide which applications it will recommend to Gov. Evers.
The hearing, led by Mel Barnes, the governor’s chief legal counsel and a board member, followed a standard format: each applicant had about five minutes to summarize the conviction at issue, describe what they have done since completing their sentence and explain why they seek a pardon. Barnes told applicants the board will vote in closed session and that a majority of board members present is required to forward a recommendation to the governor.
"You need a majority support of board members present to be sent to the governor, and the governor will then make a final decision on granting or denying your application," Barnes said during opening remarks.
Applicants described a wide range of convictions and post‑sentence records. Trevor Polinski, who said his conviction dates to 2014, told the board he seeks a pardon primarily to restore his ability to possess firearms for personal safety while living in a remote, wildlife‑prone area. Polinski said he completed probation and described community work and steady employment; the Dane County district attorney's office, he was told by the board, reviewed his application and opposed it. "I would feel much more safe and secure if I knew that I was legally allowed to own and carry and operate a firearm," Polinski said.
Other applicants emphasized impediments to work and travel. Peter Miller, who described convictions nearly 20 years ago, said he has since built a career in HVAC, started several businesses and last year bought about $600,000 in real estate; he said the criminal record still blocks federal and state contracting opportunities. Several applicants asked that pardons restore employment eligibility, college or clinical placements, or the ability to travel abroad.
Some applications received mention of local prosecuting offices' positions. Board members told Robert Harris, for instance, that the Milwaukee County district attorney's office reviewed his file and supported his application; in other cases applicants were told a county DA had opposed review. Nathan Algueta said he had a letter of support from the Winnebago County district attorney in his file.
Board members regularly asked about restitution, child‑support status and letters of support from community members or employers; applicants were repeatedly encouraged to submit additional supporting letters where available. Several applicants who described long periods of sobriety, vocational training or steady employment highlighted volunteer service and mentoring work as evidence of rehabilitation.
After hearing all scheduled speakers, the board voted in open session to move into closed session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85 to deliberate about the applications. Under the statute the board cited, deliberations about specific applications and applicants' financial, medical, social or personal history may be discussed in closed session. The board said applicants should expect notice of the board’s recommendation (if any) in about a month to a month and a half; the governor makes the final determination.
The board's closed‑session deliberations and any recommendations it forwards to the governor will be followed by official notifications to applicants. The public, including applicants, will be notified of the outcome by the governor's office once decisions are final.
