On Tuesday Obama pardoned a former Army captain who was convicted of a felony after being found in a relationship with another man in 1989.
The Georgia resident, Peter Heidgerd, 56, was convicted of “conduct unbecoming an officer” and served a year in prison after his relationship with another man was discovered. He was discharged from the Army and had to find employment with a felony on his record.
“He had a felony on his record. So when he came back to Georgia to find a job he could not get one because no one would hire him with a felony on his record and less than honorable discharge,” his attorney told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Heidgerd said that he “didn’t need a president to pardon me, but this helps.” Now, with the presidential pardon, it’s as if he had never been convicted.
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In the 1980’s, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was not yet federal law, but same-sex relationships were banned by the Department of Defense under the policy that “homosexuality is incompatible with military service.” The policy cited “discipline, good order, and morale” and “prevent[ing] breaches of security.”
President Obama pardoned 64 people this week, commuted the sentences of 209 (including Chelsea Manning), and ordered the release of 1400 federal inmates.