President Biden Commutes Sentence of Former Miami Booster Nevin Shapiro: What You Need to Know
President Joe Biden granted clemency to nearly 1,500 people this week, including Nevin Shapiro, a former Miami booster known for his involvement in a Ponzi scheme. Shapiro, along with others, had his sentence commuted by Biden, with an additional 39 individuals receiving pardons.
Back in 2011, Shapiro was convicted of securities fraud and money laundering related to a $930 million Ponzi scheme, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence. He made headlines that same year when he confessed to violating NCAA rules by providing impermissible benefits to Miami Hurricanes players, such as cash, yacht trips, and visits to strip clubs. This confession led to significant sanctions against the University of Miami, including scholarship reductions and recruiting restrictions.
The NCAA investigation into Shapiro’s actions faced criticism for improper collaboration between enforcement staff, Shapiro’s attorney, and his bankruptcy proceedings. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shapiro was transferred from prison to home confinement. It’s important to note that a commutation, unlike a pardon, does not erase a conviction but rather reduces or ends the sentence.
