Healey Recommends Pardon For Reading Man Convicted In 1992

READING, MA — A Reading man who was convicted of counterfeiting licenses in 1992 is one of two Massachusetts residents receiving a pardon recommendation from Gov. Maura Healey.

Robert Miller, who was 21 at the time, was sentenced to one year in the House of Correction. He ultimately served 30 days with one year of probation.

Miller currently lives in Reading with his wife and son, who attends college in Vermont. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and now works as the CEO and CTO of a renewable energy company that he founded.

Miller "has given back to his community" by coaching his son’s sports and Lego robotics teams and working with his father through Angel Flights New England to transport people in need of medical care to hospitals in the Boston area, according to the statement.

The governor's new clemency guidelines "consider the character and behavior, particularly post-offense behavior, of the petitioner." A pardon "has the effect of treating the petitioner as if the offense had never been committed."

The other person being pardoned is a Portland, OR man who was convicted of drug distribution in 1996.

In total, Healey's administration has pardoned 13 people this year through new clemency guidelines that align with the administration's "commitment to center fair and equity in the criminal justice system," according to a statement from Healey.

The guidelines are designed to provide guidance to those seeking pardons and to the Advisory Board of Pardons with reviewing petitions for executive clemency.

“Clemency is an important executive tool that can be used to soften the harsher edges of our criminal justice system," Healey said in a statement. "I am proud to release these new clemency guidelines that will center fairness and equity by taking into consideration the unique circumstances of each individual petitioner and the role of systemic biases. We
are also committed to ensuring that victims’ voices are heard every step of the way. Together with the strong partnership of the Advisory Board of Pardons and Governor’s Council, we can make Massachusetts safer, stronger and fairer for everyone.”