The ultra-left billionaire George Soros has once again found himself at the center of political controversy in the United States after it was revealed that organizations funded by his network of foundations have allocated millions of dollars to groups promoting a controversial reform of the parole system in the state of New York.
Critics warn that the initiatives could open the door to the early release of convicted murderers and other violent criminals, while proponents of the projects argue that they seek to correct ''excesses of the prison system'' and provide reintegration opportunities for rehabilitated inmates.
According to records from ''Open Society Foundations'', Soros's network of organizations has reportedly provided more than 7 million dollars since 2016 to eight groups that are part of the coalition ''The Popular Campaign for Parole''. Although the money was not channeled directly to the legislative campaign, it would have financially strengthened the organizations advocating for reforms in Albany, the capital of New York state.
The ultra-communist billionaire George Soros has funneled millions of dollars through his organizations to promote laws that could facilitate the release of dangerous criminals in New York.
Among the beneficiary entities is ''FWD.us'', an organization founded in 2013 by Mark Zuckerberg and other Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to promote immigration and judicial reforms. According to the cited records, ''FWD.us'' has reportedly received around 3.2 million dollars from Soros's network. Other favored groups include ''VOCAL New York'', ''Legal Aid Society'', ''The Center for Alternative Communities'', ''Release the Elderly in Prison'', and ''The New York Civil Liberties Union'', all linked to criminal justice reform and civil rights initiatives.
The controversy revolves around two bills: the ''Elderly Parole Project'' and the ''Fair and Timely Parole Project''. The former would allow inmates over 55 years old to request parole hearings after serving at least 15 years in prison, even in cases of violent crimes. The latter would require the parole board to primarily assess whether an inmate poses a current danger to society, rather than focusing on the original severity of the crime committed.
Supporters of these initiatives argue that thousands of people remain incarcerated under excessively long sentences resulting from decades of ''tough on crime'' policies. According to the leftist campaign, New York's prison system suffers from ''racial discrimination and disproportionate punishments'' that primarily affect minorities and vulnerable sectors.
However, critics believe that the proposals pose a direct threat to public safety. Conservative lawmakers, victim associations, and former members of law enforcement argue that the reforms could facilitate the release of criminals convicted of particularly brutal murders.
The organization FWD.us, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, has been one of the major beneficiaries, having received more than 3 million dollars from the leftist Hungarian magnate.
One of the most mentioned cases is that of David Berkowitz, known as the serial killer ''Son of Sam'', responsible for a series of attacks in New York between 1976 and 1977 that left six dead and several injured. Berkowitz, now 72 years old, is serving a sentence of 25 years to life in Shawangunk prison and has already been denied parole 12 times. His detractors fear that, under the new laws, criminals of this profile may have greater chances of regaining their freedom.
Other notorious names are also mentioned, such as Mark David Chapman, the murderer of musician John Lennon in 1980, and David McClary, convicted of the murder of New York police officer Edward Byrne in 1988. For conservative sectors, the possibility that individuals responsible for such serious crimes gain access to prison benefits highlights the ''extreme'' nature of the reforms.
Criticism of Soros has been particularly harsh. Douglas Kellogg, a representative of the conservative group Americans for Tax Reform, accused the organizations funded by the mogul of promoting policies far removed from common sense and contributing to the deterioration of safety in New York. According to Kellogg, the proposals reflect an ideological agenda that prioritizes the rights of criminals over those of victims and ordinary citizens.
One of the possible beneficiaries of these projects proposed by the left could be the serial killer David Berkowitz.
Soros has invested tens of millions of dollars in supporting progressive prosecutors and candidates favorable to judicial reforms in various states across the country. These campaigns have contributed to the expansion of lenient crime policies, reducing sentences and limiting the ability of authorities to combat crime.
Another criticism points to the enormous financial weight of multimillionaire figures within the American political debate. Cited police sources state that victim families, detectives, and security agents lack comparable resources to make their positions heard against the economic power of large donors and activist organizations.
Meanwhile, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul has avoided clearly stating whether she would veto the projects if they are approved by the state legislature. Although both initiatives have advanced in the Senate, they still face difficulties in gathering sufficient support in the state Assembly.
The Democratic governor of New York did not comment on whether she will enact those bills if they are approved.
