ALBANY — Actor Charles Grodin has sent a letter to the federal judge soon sentencing former New York Senate leader Joseph Bruno on two fraud counts, pointing out Bruno’s role in getting clemency in the mid-1990s for four inmates.

Grodin, also an author, political commentator and former cable talk show host, says he remains grateful to Bruno for agreeing the four women deserved clemency and talking about it to Gov. George Pataki, who granted it. He says one was a welfare mother caught in a police drug sting.

Grodin says he’s not sufficiently informed about the charges against Bruno, but wanted to share that.

Prosecutors have asked Judge Gary Sharpe to sentence Bruno on Thursday to more than eight years in prison. His attorney proposes probation, restitution and a fine.