Bush hands out 'get out of jail free' cards to toxic waste dumpers, drug offenders, tax evaders, wildlife violators and bank embezzlers.

One hot topic of discussion related to pardons is whether Bush might decide to issue pre-emptive pardons before he leaves office to government employees who authorized or engaged in harsh interrogations of suspected Terrorists in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Some constitutional scholars and human rights groups want the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to investigate possible war crimes.

Full story and list of pardoned criminals here at AP.