Democratic Party Chairman: Snyder 'Has Reached New Low' With Pardon

LANSING (WWJ) -- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's use of an executive pardon for a politically connected lawyer who was appointed to a state economic board in 2011 has come under heavy scrutiny.

The governor followed the recommendation of the Michigan parole board and pardoned attorney Alan Gocha Jr. back in December. The story went public Friday following an Associated Press investigation.

The investigation uncovered the pardon following Gocha's arrest in 2007 for drunk driving in Bloomfield Township. Gocha eventually pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and served six days in jail.

Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Lon Johnson said that the Governor "needs to answer" to the public for his decision.

"There are thousands of people who have been convicted of drunk driving in the State of Michigan; why was this one individual granted a pardon?" Johnson said. "I think the governor has to answer that question."

A statement from the governor's office says, in part, "There is zero wrongdoing here whatsoever. This followed established state process on pardons and commutations. Every situation has to go through this process. No exceptions."

"This governor has reached a new low," Johnson said. "It's inexcusable for pardoning a politically connected attorney convicted of drunk driving. I don't know who is more shameless -- the drunk driver asking for the pardon, or the who granted it."