A review by Fox News Digital reveals that Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford voted to support clemency for dozens of convicted violent offenders during his nearly eight years in office. The findings include Ford's support for reduced sentences or early parole eligibility for individuals convicted of murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. This disclosure arrives as Ford runs for governor, seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo in one of the cycle's most competitive races.
Nevada's gubernatorial structure differs from most states because the governor cannot unilaterally grant pardons or commute sentences. Instead, these decisions rest with the state's Board of Pardons Commissioners, a body comprising the governor, the attorney general, and Nevada Supreme Court justices. Fox News Digital found that Ford has voted to pardon or significantly reduce the sentences of 30 people convicted of murder. While Lombardo joined Ford on some votes, the Democrat broke with the Republican in supporting mercy for several high-profile killers.
One notable case involves Michael Cu, who in 1996 kidnapped a 16-year-old, forced him to drive to the desert, and killed him execution-style to steal car rims. The victim was shot seven times with a rifle, with the fatal shot fired at nearly point-blank range into his head. At sentencing in March 2000, the victim's mother pleaded with the judge, stating she did not want the perpetrators free and feared for her remaining children. The board eventually commuted Cu's sentence, making him eligible for parole in 2035, though release still requires parole board approval. In this instance, Ford supported the commutation while Lombardo voted against it.
Ford also supported clemency for Anthony Amati, whom police and prosecutors described as a "thrill killer." In June 2025, the board allowed Amati to become immediately eligible for parole following his conviction for ambushing a 22-year-old Pizza Hut worker. The victim's co-worker testified that Amati and his friends laughed and jumped around while firing multiple bullets into the victim. Deputy District Attorney Christopher Lalli argued at trial that Amati should never be eligible for freedom because his crime was committed for mere pleasure. Despite this characterization, Ford's support contributed to Amati's immediate parole eligibility.
Ford made his law enforcement background a focal point of his campaign, with his website highlighting efforts to prosecute criminals, battle fentanyl trafficking, and clear rape kit backlogs. Republicans are expected to use these pardon votes to challenge that image. In one hearing, Ford said he "gleefully vote[s] yes" for a motion making Shaquille Hazelwood eligible for parole after a 15-year-old killed someone during an armed robbery. He called his decision to grant parole eligibility to Bobby Thomas, who stabbed a 17-year-old to death, a "no-brainer" in September 2025.
The review also found that Ford supported clemency for Arlander Givens, who beat a victim to death with a cinder block and received two consecutive life terms. However, the board ultimately denied Givens' application. Ford and Lombardo did vote together in some cases, including pardoning a man found guilty of masterminding a contract killing after DNA evidence exonerated him. Ford's office and campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.