January 22, 2021
As one of his last acts in office, President Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of 143 people, including Mahmoud-Reza Banki, 44, an Iranian-American who immigrated to the United States to attend college.
The Princeton-educated Banki was convicted in 2011 of violating the embargo on trade with Iran. That conviction was later overturned on appeal. But other charges of making false statements remained on his record.
His case was a very controversial one with many Americans supporting him from the moment of his arrest.
Trump gave Banki a full pardon for the remaining convictions. His statement said, “Dr. Banki has dedicated himself to his community and maintained a sincere love and respect for the United States.”
Banki had applied for a pardon with the support of 13 congressmen and one senator. Banki served 22 months in prison before being released.
