State board reverses Pilati pardon, puts him back on sex offender registry
According to information provided by the Alabama Attorney General’s office, the State Pardons and Paroles Board decided today to reverse 2012 and 2015 pardons for convicted former Franklin County District Attorney John Frederick Pilati and require he be placed back on the sex offender registry.
“John Pilati violated a solemn oath to protect and defend the people when he violated the civil rights through sexual contact with five different young men while he was district attorney,” said Attorney General Steven T. Marshall.
Pilati was convicted in federal court and sentenced in 2008 to 42 months in prison for five civil rights offenses related to sexual assaults on young men who ranged in age from 16-20.
“While Pilati served his sentence and was released in 2011, the nature of his crime against his victims and the violation of his oath of office demand that he should not be granted a pardon,” Marshall added.
During Pilati’s pardon hearing today, Chief Deputy Alice Martin, who prosecuted the case against Pilati, was successful in voiding the earlier pardons.
“I am pleased that the Board of Pardons and Paroles followed our recommendation to deny his pardons,” Marshall said.
Last year, Pilati was removed from the sex offender registry following a Dec. 8, 2015 pardon. He at that time petitioned for reinstatement to the Alabama State Bar but was unsuccessful, being denied reinstatement in May 2016 following a hearing.
