Meek Mill has secured a pardon.
The 35-year-old—born Robert Rihmeek Williams—announced the big news via Instagram on Thursday, nearly 15 years after he was convicted of drug- and weapons-related charges. The move serves as an act of forgiveness for certain criminal convictions, and allows the related offenses to be expunged from his criminal record.
“Thankyall 🥲 I’m only gone do more for my community on god!” Meek captioned a photo of the declaration signed by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.
According to Wolf’s office, Meek was among 369 individuals who received a pardon in Pennsylvania this week. Gov. Wolf has issued a total of 2,540 pardons since taking office in 2015, marking the most of any governor in Pennsylvania history.
“I have taken this process very seriously—reviewing and giving careful thought to each and every one of these 2,540 pardons and the lives they will impact,” said the governor, who will leave office on Jan. 17. “Every single one of the Pennsylvanians who made it through the process truly deserves their second chance, and it’s been my honor to grant it. A record prevents positive forward motion in a person’s life and can spark a repetitive cycle of defeat. I firmly believe that with restored rights, pardoned Pennsylvanians prove themselves by stepping up and giving back to our communities.”
Over the past several years, Meek has become a leading figure in the fight for criminal justice reform, as his own legal battle sparked public outcry and nationwide protests. In 2017, the Dream Chasers boss was sentenced to 2-4 years in prison for probation violations, a sentence that was widely criticized as unjust and heavy-handed.
Presiding Judge Genece Brinkley, was accused of having a personal vendetta against Meek and demonstrating inappropriate behavior throughout his case. Meek’s team claimed Brinkley had asked Meek to write a song about her, urged him to change managers, and even checked up on him as he was doing community service.
Brinkley was transferred to civil court last year, after court officials expressed concerns over her ethics and work management. The judge went on to file a racial and gender discrimination lawsuit, as well as a petition to reverse the transfer, claiming it raised “unwarranted suspicions about [her] integrity and performance.”
In addition to fighting for criminal justice reform, Meek has spent the last year giving back to his community. Earlier this week, the rapper announced he, Kevin Hart, and Michael Rubin collectively donated $7 million to Philadelphia-area schools.
