John Forte Pardoned By President Bush

John Edward Forte got commuted! John Forte was one of the 16 Bush pardons / commuted sentences today! John E. Forté, a hip-hop singer and Carly Simon’s backup singer, received a commuted sentence in today from Bush, the only quasi celebrity on the list.Forte was convicted of aiding and abetting in drug distribution. His sentence - 14 years. Bush today commuted the remainder of his sentence

“A Grammy Award-winning rapper and music producer originally sentenced to 14 years in prison for smuggling cocaine is one of 16 people receiving pardons or reduced sentences from President Bush.John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., a graduate of the elite Phillips Exeter Academy prep school who later became a producer for the rap group The Fugees and released two albums on his own, was caught in 2000 at Newark International Airport with two briefcases filled with $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine, according to court documents.

Forte, 33, a first-time offender, was convicted of possessing the 31 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute and was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years at Fort Dix, N.J. (Forte’s Web site)With the commutation*, Forte will be released Dec. 22, after serving just over seven years. He still faces five years of supervised probation.”