WASHINGTON (AP) — The President donald trump The state pardoned the husband of Tennessee Republican Rep. Diana Hershberger, who served time in federal prison after pleading guilty to health care fraud and other crimes more than a decade ago.
Robert Hershberger Jr., a licensed pharmacist, admitted in 2013 to substituting iron sucrose, which the FDA had approved for use in kidney dialysis patients, with a cheaper drug imported from China that was not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He was sentenced to four years in prison, which he served.
Signed by President Trump pardon document Friday, according to the Department of Justice’s Office of Pardon Counsel’s website. This was one of several pardons issued by Republican presidents. Former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives and former Major League Baseball slugger to great player for the New York Mets. Darryl Strawberry.
President Trump also pardoned a former NYPD sergeant last week. Convicted of aiding China Attempt to blackmail former officials into joining return to his hometown. on monday, President Trump granted pardon his former personal lawyer Rudy Giulianihis former chief of staff mark meadows Many others were accused of supporting his efforts to overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
White House officials defended Mr. Hershberger’s pardon on Tuesday, saying he was the victim of “overprosecution” and that his drug substitution was a common practice among pharmacists, known as “compounding,” providing unapproved drugs to patients based on their condition or other reasons. The official requested anonymity to discuss the reasons behind President Trump’s pardon decision.
The president has broad constitutional power to grant pardons, and although pardons do not erase criminal convictions, they can often be viewed as acts of justice or mercy that can promote the public welfare.
White House officials said Mr. Hershberger turned to the drug from China because of a backorder for iron sucrose drugs. No patients were reported to have been harmed by the substitution, and doctors likely preferred Hershberger’s drug because it was easier to administer, officials said.
Prosecutors said that although there were no reports of harm to patients, Mr. Hershberger’s replacements still put patients at risk because the FDA cannot guarantee the safety and effectiveness of products from other countries.
Mr. Hershberger has completed his sentence, the official said. He was also ordered to pay restitution, pay a fine and forfeit $425,000 in cash.
Congressman Hershberger is also a licensed pharmacist and was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. in 2020 He is also a strong supporter of Trump. She voiced her support for Trump outside. hush money criminal trial in new york In 2024 or any other situation.
President Trump has supported all of her congressional campaigns, giving her “full and complete support” for her 2026 re-election bid in a Nov. 3 social media post.
She was not a member of Congress when her husband pleaded guilty in 2013 to one count of distributing counterfeit branded drugs and one count of health care fraud.
Robert Hershberger was convicted of a crime and had his license revoked in 2013, according to the Tennessee Department of Health website. Records show the deputy still has a license.
The congressman’s office in Washington did not respond to a phone call seeking comment.
