George Steinbrenner
Who pardoned him: Ronald Reagan
What he was pardoned for: Making illegal campaign contributions to Nixon, obstruction of justice
Why it was controversial: Steinbrenner had asked President Jimmy Carter for a pardon, but was refused. His attorneys claimed the conviction was a source of humiliation in both his business and personal life. When Reagan granted it, it was seen as the rich and famous using their power and influence to maintain their status and, according to an L.A. Times opinion piece, “corrupt the public process“.