Ray Blanton, a Democrat, was Tennessee’s governor from 1975 to 1979. He became infamous for a “cash‑for‑clemency” scandal in which pardons and commutations were sold, ultimately leading to his early removal from office.
His scheme of selling pardons came to light when Marie Ragghianti, chair of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, was fired in 1977 after refusing to release prisoners who had bribed officials. The 1985 film Marie is a biographical drama starring Sissy Spacek that tells this story and is worth watching.
Marie, after being removed from her position, sued the State and won a legal judgment. In December 1978, the FBI raided the state capitol and seized the office of Blanton’s legal advisor, securing evidence of the scheme. It was revealed that in 1979, Blanton issued 52 pardons and commutations, including 20 convicted murderers and individuals tied to political allies
Due to concern that Blanton planned to issue many more pardons before he left office, legislative leaders used constitutional ambiguity to swear in Governor‑elect Lamar Alexander three days early, effectively removing Blanton from power. Although Blanton was never charged directly for selling pardons, several aides were convicted, and Blanton himself was later convicted of mail fraud, conspiracy, and extortion for selling liquor licenses and served 22 months in federal prison.
Compared to Donald Trump, Ray Blanton was minor league. Of all of the outrageous and despicable things Trump has done, one that gets scant attention is his selling of pardons. The article below from today's New York Times tells the story of how one such deal worked.
When Democrats retake the House, I hope there is a serious investigation of the pardon scandal. When Ray Blanton was selling pardons, Tennessee Democrats joined Republicans in condemning the action, investigating the scandal, seeking justice, and preventing even more of the same. Republicans in the Trump era seem uninterested in Trump corruption of any kind. This includes not only members of Congress but everyday Trump supporters, including people I know and family. Republicans have lost their moral compass.
A Billionaire Wanted a Trump Pardon. His Family Gave Alina Habba a $50 Million Deal.
By Tyler Pager, New York Times, Oct. 21, 2026- Julio Herrera Velutini really wanted a pardon.
A billionaire banker from a prominent Venezuelan family, Mr. Herrera faced felony bribery charges in the United States and struck an unusually lenient plea deal in August 2025 for a misdemeanor campaign finance violation. But he felt that reduced charge was still a stain on his record.
So Mr. Herrera deployed his lawyer, Christopher M. Kise, the former Florida solicitor general who was on President Trump’s personal legal team, to help with a plea for clemency. ....
... In Mr. Trump’s second term, a pardon industry has sprouted up, with wealthy criminals paying well-connected lawyers, fixers and lobbyists to appeal to the administration and its allies in an effort to secure pardons. Many pardon seekers have come to the conclusion that supporting Mr. Trump and his political agenda is the fastest way to secure clemency.
Some people looking for pardons have reported paying hundreds of thousands of dollars or even $1 million to hire people promising access to the president or influence over the pardon process. (read it all)
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