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Panel Calls For Pardon Of Famous Paleontologist Peter Larson

Associated Press0

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Senate committee has approved a resolution petitioning for a presidential pardon of renowned South Dakota paleontologist Peter Larson.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure Thursday, which seeks a clean slate for Larson, whose team discovered the famous Tyrannosaurus rex fossil “Sue” in 1990.

In 1992, federal agents seized the dinosaur as evidence in a criminal case against the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research and company employees. Nearly all the charges were dropped, but Larson was sentenced to two years in federal prison on unrelated counts involving failure to report some financial matters and taking fossils from federal lands.

Republican Rep. Mike Verchio says Larson has contributed to the state’s education, history and culture. He says Larson was aggressively prosecuted and was unaware he had broken the law.

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