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Presidential Clemency Record

Jesse R. Benton

Pardon

  /   2017–2021

Record at a Glance

Clemency type
Pardon
Presidential term
2017–2021
Federal district
Southern District of Iowa
Offense
Conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States; causing false records; causing false campaign contribution reports; false statements scheme
Sentence
Two years' probation conditioned upon six months' home confinement and 160 hours' community service; $10,000 fine (September 20, 2016)
Current status
The D.C. Circuit affirmed Benton's separate campaign-finance judgment on April 19, 2024. That case involved money from a Russian national and was distinct from the Iowa conviction covered by his 2020 pardon.
Basic Official Record

This profile currently contains information drawn from official clemency records. Additional case history, context, and post-clemency developments are being reviewed and added.

Since Clemency

  • 2023-02-17 · separate criminal case sentencing

    Following a November 2022 jury conviction, Benton was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a separate scheme involving an illegal contribution from a Russian national. DOJ described a $100,000 transfer, a $25,000 contribution made in Benton's name, and $75,000 retained by Benton.

    Legal Status: Separate post-pardon conviction and sentence for 2016 conduct. DOJ said the donor's nationality was concealed from the campaign and candidate; the 2020 pardon concerned the earlier Iowa case.

  • 2024-04-19 · criminal appeal disposition

    The D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court in Benton's separate campaign-finance case, identifying the Russian donor as Roman Vasilenko.

    Legal Status: Appellate affirmance in No. 23-3028, arising from D.D.C. No. 1:21-cr-00569-1; distinct from the Iowa conviction pardoned in 2020.

Sources

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