Mark Wahlberg seeks pardon for old assault case

The actor filed the petition Nov. 26 with the Massachusetts Board of Pardons, seeking pardon for the incident.

The conviction stems from an incident in April 1988 when Wahlberg says he attempted to steal alcohol from a man standing outside a convenience store. He said he hit the man with a stick, and then in an attempt to evade police, punched another man.

"I am deeply sorry for the actions that I took on the night of April 8, 1988, as well as for any lasting damage that I may have caused the victims," Wahlberg wrote in his application. "Since that time, I have dedicated myself to becoming a better person and citizen so that I can be a role model to my children and others."

"I have not engaged in philanthropic efforts in order to make people forget about my past," he added. "To the contrary, I want people to remember my past so that I can serve as an example of how lives can be turned around and how people can be redeemed."

He said he is seeking the pardon because his criminal record has prevented him from carrying out business and philanthropic endeavors.

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