Cuomo Issues Pardons To Three Convicted Men

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pardoned three men he says deserve a second chance without criminal records.

Seymour Hunter of Manhattan, convicted in 1994 of attempted drug sale, finished rehab and probation and for 12 years has worked at a nonprofit housing elderly, low-income professionals and people fighting HIV. A permanent U.S. resident, the 70-year-old seeks citizenship.

Gerardo Alvarez of Lake Peekskill, convicted in 2002 of drug possession, also seeks citizenship. The 49-year-old, married to a U.S. citizen since 1986, has two children in college, held the same job for 25 years and is active in his church.

Rocco Paciello, of Clinton, was convicted in 1988 of statutory rape for sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend. They later married, raising two children. He retired from the military in 2007.