Ragghianti, Marie (1942–)

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Ragghianti, Marie (1942–)

American whistleblower and prison reformer. Born Marie Fajardo, June 13, 1942; Vanderbilt University, BS, 1975, MS, 1978; Harvard University, MPA, 1992; divorced, 1968; children: 3.

Single mother of three who, as chair of the Pardons & Parole Board in Tennessee (1976–77), exposed the widespread sale of pardons and paroles to convicted rapists, armed robbers, and murderers by the office of the governor (1977); served as chief of staff of the US Parole Commission (1997–99).

See also Peter Maas, Marie: A True Story (1997); (film) Marie, starring Sissy Spacek.