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Baker issues 4 pardons for decades-old criminal convictions

As he prepares to leave office in a few months, Gov. Charlie Baker has issued his first pardons for criminal offenses.

Kenneth Dunn, Stephen Polignone, Michael Picanso, and Steven Joanis were all pardoned for crimes they were charged with decades ago.

“All of these individuals have shown a commitment to their communities and rehabilitation since their convictions," Baker said in a statement.

The men's offenses occurred between 1971 and 1990 and involved issues such as larceny, trespassing and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. All of the men said their criminal records have created issues such as not allowing them to advance in their careers and barring them from some volunteer activities. Three of the men had firearms licenses for years but were not able to renew them once computer systems were updated.

In three of the cases, the men had their criminal records sealed, but those records are available to law enforcement and under certain circumstances.

The Massachusetts Parole Board, acting as the Advisory Board of Pardons, unanimously approved all four pardon requests. The Governor's Council must now review the governor's recommendations.

These are the first pardons approved by Baker. Earlier this year, the governor commuted the first degree murder sentences of two men who were serving life sentences without the possibility of parole. Both men's sentences were commuted to second degree murder and both have been released on parole.

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Deborah Becker Host/Reporter
Deborah Becker is a senior correspondent and host at WBUR. Her reporting focuses on mental health, criminal justice and education.

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