Only one day after President Bush granted 19 pardons and one commutation, White House officials were re-examining the case of Isaac R. Toussie.
Toussie was convicted of housing fraud and sued by 200 families for the very predatory lending practices which helped spark the housing crisis.
From Dana Perino:
"Based on information that has subsequently come to light, the president has directed the [Justice Department's] pardon attorney not to execute and deliver a grant of clemency to Mr. Toussie," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a written statement.
How is this information only now "coming to light?" Anybody with an Internet connection could have done the Google to learn about the guy and his shady history of scamming poor families. They also could have easily discovered Toussie's father is a big GOP donor:
In 2008, Toussie's father donated almost $40,000 to Arizona Sen. John McCain, Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, and Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor.
Again, anyone with an Internet connection can look up contributions.
So, the question is --- how did Isaac Toussie end up on the pardon list? Who at the Justice Department made the recommendation? And why was it granted if President Bush was so utterly clueless about the facts of the case?