He was previously denied entry for passport fraud, (detected after fingerprint checks) so would almost certainly have been flagged by the system this time round. But the officials do still have discretion to let him, or anyone else in, and that would suggest he was given special treatment.

I'm not sure they would officially waive the rules, but if he chose not to disclose on an ESTA application, it might not have been detected. They don't have the resources to Google every applicant and they probably don't have a watchlist beyond the Five Eyes stuff.

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If you are to punish a man retributively you must injure him. If you are to reform him you must improve him. And men are not improved by injuries. (George Bernard Shaw)

Given Robinson's numerous convictions for "crimes involving moral turpitude" one can only assume the rules were waived specially for him. 

A man with a long list of convictions including custodial sentences has been allowed into the USA.

Not that the US is top of my list for travel destinations but if he can get a Visa maybe there is hope for others.