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Fraud convict granted
pardon; governor cites
health reasons

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By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

LOS ANGELES -- Gov. Ben Cayetano says he pardoned former state legislator Gene Albano because the former Kalihi Democrat was having health problems.

"I understand he isn't well," Cayetano said. "I think he is having kidney problems, and I think the pardon would help."

Albano was convicted in 1993 of voter registration fraud. He told the Star-Bulletin he wanted to be pardoned so he can once again bear firearms and pursue his hobbies of hunting and target shooting.

The Parole Board suggested the pardon this year after Albano twice applied for a pardon.

"The first time, I turned him down because I didn't think enough time had been spent since the crime," Cayetano said while attending the Democratic National Convention.

An Oahu grand jury indicted Albano in 1983 for illegally registering voters in his Kalihi Kai-Iwilei House district. He had served two terms in the House before his defeat in his 1984 reelection bid.

Albano said he made a big mistake and had no intention of committing fraud. He was sentenced to five years, but was given a minimum term of 18 months by the parole board. He was paroled before his minimum term was up because of good behavior, Albano said.

Cayetano noted that his pardon of attorney Tom Foley, who was convicted of negligent homicide after killing a man in a drunk driving accident, shows that the law has to be applied with mercy.

"There is an element in the community that believe very strongly in punishment for punishment's sake. I am not of that school," Cayetano said.