‘The Departed’ Actor Mark Wahlberg’s Request For Pardon Over Multiple Assaults In 1988 Dropped

While many know Mark Wahlberg to be a famous actor and producer, few are aware that the “Ted” actor committed multiple assaults as a teenager. In 1998, the then 16-year-old Wahlberg hit a Vietnamese man in the head with a stick while trying to steal alcohol. Furthermore, while evading the police, the teenager punched another man in the face.

Following the incident, the young Wahlberg served 45 days in jail though he was sentenced to serve three months.

In 2014, “The Departed” star sent a pardon application to the Massachusetts Parole Board asking for a pardon. In the letter, according to the Associated Press, Wahlberg apologized for his actions as a teenager and said he has dedicated his time ever since to becoming a better person so that he can be a better role model to children. He also emphasized that he has donated millions of dollars to charity.

However, a Massachusetts Parole Board spokesman said on Thursday to AP that Wahlberg hadn’t responded to a letter asking if he wished to keep his petition open. Therefore, his request for pardon has been dropped.

The 45-year-old actor told reporters at the Toronto Film Festival, which was held this week, that he regrets requesting for a pardon. However, the process of requesting for a pardon enabled him to apologize to one of the victims. Wahlberg was high at the time of committing these assaults. He told the press (via The Wrap) at the Film Festival, “Some good did come out of it.”

After sending the pardon application, Wahlberg was met with protests from an Asian American activist group in 2014.

Wahlberg can be seen in the movie “Deepwater Horizon” which releases in the U.S. on Sept. 30. Then the actor will make an appearance in “Patriots Day” in January 2017.

What do you think of Wahlberg’s pardon request? Hit the comments with your thoughts!