Exactly right by CASA in Action about this disgraceful situation (“The government’s evidence against Scott Jenkins was compelling, including undercover video and other corroboration showing Jenkins, then the sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, accepting over $75,000 in exchange for giving law enforcement authority to local businessmen, as well as two undercover FBI special agents…But on Monday, President Donald Trump announced he was pardoning Jenkins”)!
Pardon of Convicted Sheriff Undermines Justice, Says CASA in Action Director Luis Aguilar
Casa In Action Calls Presidential Pardon Of Convicted Virginia Sheriff A Threat To Public Trust.
WOODBRIDGE, VA. — In response to the presidential pardon of former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins, Virginia Director of CASA in Action, Luis Aguilar, issued the following statement:
“We’re deeply troubled by the decision to pardon Scott Jenkins, a public official convicted of serious crimes involving bribery and abuse of power. No matter who you are, what party you belong to, or what position you hold, the public trust should never be for sale.
“The justice system worked. A jury heard the evidence and reached a verdict based on the facts. While elected officials may disagree with the outcome, using a pardon to overrule a jury sends the wrong message to communities that depend on law enforcement to act with honesty and integrity.
“This isn’t about politics. It’s about doing what’s right and holding public officials accountable so people can trust the institutions meant to serve them.”
Jenkins was convicted in December 2024 on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy, honest services fraud and bribery. He was sentenced earlier this year to 10 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said his actions reflected a pattern of unethical conduct and a betrayal of public trust.
Aguilar said the pardon threatens to erode public confidence in the legal system, especially when it comes to elected officials who are expected to uphold the law, not exploit it.
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By mobilizing Black, Latine, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant voters, CASA in Action, and its 173,000 members, play a powerful role in electing progressive change leaders who can produce the justice our members seek nationwide. CASA in Action endorses candidates that advance its membership’s priorities and facilitates greater engagement of Latinos and voters of color in elections.
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