NEW CASTLE —
Efforts are under way to pursue a presidential pardon for a former New Castle resident and ex-CIA agent.
John Kiriakou pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of leaking the name of a covert agent. Kiriakou, 48, entered the plea as part of an agreement that he would serve two years in prison.
He has yet to be officially sentenced.
Kiriakou is the only person ever convicted under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act, a 27-year-old federal law.
Kiriakou was a CIA veteran who played a role in the agency’s capture of al-Qaida terrorist Abu Zubaydah in Pakistan in 2002.
Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded by government interrogators and eventually revealed information that led to the arrest of “dirty bomb” plotter Jose Padilla and exposed Khalid Sheikh Mohamed as the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
However, there is dispute among officials whether waterboarding played a role in obtaining any information from Abu Zubaydah. In publicly discussing the process, Kiriakou — who did not participate — eventually said it was torture.
The online petition for Kiriakou’s pardon, presented by Washington, D.C., resident Cathy Schneider, describes Kiriakou as “an American hero.”
She cites his refusal to participate in the torture of terror suspects and his public declarations that torture is wrong.
The website with the pardon petition is: www.change.org/petitions/president-obama-commute-the-sentence-or-pardon-john-kiriakou
Under the Constitution, the president has broad power to pardon individuals. However, modern pardons typical follow a lengthy review of the case and recommendations from Justice Department officials.
Closer Look
Related Photos
-
John Kiriakou ABCnews
Discussion
Pardon sought for Kiriakou
- Closer Look
-
-
John K. Manna: A look back a big wins, tiny turnout in primary
Years from now few people, if any, will remember Tuesday’s primary in Lawrence County. The few probably will not remember that only 9,291 registered voters turned out at the polls. It wasn’t the lowest turnout over the last 25 years or so.
-
Cancer society grant to aid Amish women
Amish women in Mercer and Lawrence counties will benefit from an American Cancer Society grant. Primary Health Network will use the Making Strides Early Detection and Quality of Life Grant to educate them about the importance of breast cancer screenings.
-
Blessing, repairs set for cemetery
The former Harbor Presbyterian Church in Mahoning Township dissolved in 2005. Now all that remains is its cemetery. Harbor Bridge Cemetery has been in existence since 1850. Charles Ellenberger said that at one point, grass had grown so tall there that you couldn’t even tell a cemetery was there.
-
Our Opinion: Lousy voter turnout is a missed opportunity
Tuesday’s primary in Lawrence County had its share of winners and losers. But — based on the numbers — the biggest winner has to be voter apathy. Countywide, voter turnout in the primary was a whopping 17.1 percent. In case you missed it, our use of the term “whopping” is sarcasm.
-
Governor signs bill for health clinic funds
Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law a bill that would provide $4 million for grants for community health clinics with at least 70 percent of that money directed toward the state’s smallest counties.
-
On The Record: Today’s births, police items and district judge reports
On the Record is a periodic update of public information coming out of the Lawrence County Government Center and local police departments. Look inside for the latest listing of police items and district judge reports.
-
Vo-tech budget loses support
Now there are only two. That is the number of school districts that have approved the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center budget for the 2013-14 year after Union board’s withdrew support this week.
-
County starts drug takeback program
Lawrence County’s district attorney is initiating a drug takeback program for local residents to turn in unused or expired medications.
-
Mom’s donates rolls to tornado victims
A local pepperoni roll company has found a way to help victims of the Oklahoma tornado. Leslie Pratt, owner of Mom’s Whole Foods, is sending about 1,700 pepperoni rolls to the ravaged area this weekend to help provide food for the tornado victims as they continue to sift through the rubble of what were once their homes.
-
Photo Gallery: Check out our images from the Shenango High prom!
The pomp. The pageantry. The pairs. The pictures. Yes, it’s prom season once again in Lawrence County and the New Castle News is on hand to document all the fun and excitement. We hope you enjoy our photo galleries! Today, Shenango High.
- More Closer Look Headlines
-
