LANSING, MI (AP)-- Governor Rick Snyder has issued his first pardons since taking office in 2011, scrubbing the criminal convictions of 11 people.
The rare decisions were reported this week to the state Senate, although Snyder granted the pardons in December. They were recommended by the state parole board.
The men were convicted of shoplifting, drunken driving, breaking and entering and other mostly small crimes. One case goes back to 1955.
Snyder spokesman Dave Murray says most "made mistakes early in their lives and have been good citizens for decades."
John Zubkoff of Monroe cried when he got a letter a few weeks ago. He's missed out on jobs and other opportunities because he broke into unoccupied storage units when he was 22.
Zubkoff says the governor is giving him a second chance.