Healey pardons would forgive four for crimes in Massachusetts

BOSTON (SHNS) - Gov. Maura Healey sent four newly proposed pardons to the Governor's Council, recommending official forgiveness for crimes including juvenile delinquency, operating under the influence, and attempted extortion.

Final approval rests with the elected Governor's Council, which Healey's office said has already confirmed 21 individual pardons recommended by the Democrat governor. Healey has also pardoned all misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions in Massachusetts.

"The power to pardon is one I've taken seriously throughout my time in office because it makes our criminal justice system fairer and lowers barriers for people to access jobs, housing, education and more," Healey said in a statement on Wednesday. "I'm grateful for the hard work and thoughtful guidance of the Advisory Board of Pardons and appreciate the Governor's Council careful review of these recommendations."

Healey said she is recommending a pardon for Joseph Donisi, an Arlington firefighter for the last 17 years. Donisi was adjudicated delinquent in Middlesex Juvenile Court in 1996 on charges stemming from throwing a beer bottle and trespassing at the age of 16. After being sentenced to approximately one year in custody of the Department of Youth Services (suspended for one year) he went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.

"He is seeking a pardon so that he can coach his daughters' youth sports teams. His criminal record prevented him from stepping in to coach the youth team of his best friend's son after that friend passed away," the governor's office said of Donisi.

The governor also proposed a pardon for Paul Cacchiotti, convicted of attempted extortion, larceny over $250, tax evasion and filing false tax returns in 1998. Before his conviction, Cacchiotti had served in the Army National Guard, graduated from Suffolk Law School, had been a judge advocate general and worked as a solo practitioner. He has since been reinstated to the bar and has worked as a self-employed attorney since 2014, the governor's office said.

In the case of Frank Albert, Healey is seeking a pardon for an operating under the influence of liquor conviction in 1997. Healey's office said Albert has been employed at a car dealership for 18 years as a salesman, and is a licensed realtor, a notary and a member of his New Hampshire town's zoning board.

Healey is also seeking a pardon for Yolanda Rodriguez, who was convicted of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon after being involved in a fight in 1979. She completed her sentence of two years of probation without incident, the governor's office said, but was later convicted of operating under the influence of liquor in 1985 and 1986. The 68-year-old most recently worked at Choi's World Tae Kwon Do in Springfield, but in 2021 "was informed that she could no longer work at Choi’s World because of her prior conviction," Healey's office said.