Lobbyist Who Helped a Client Pursue a Pardon is Arrested on an Extortion Charge
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A lobbyist was arrested on extortion charges after helping a client secure a presidential pardon.
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Josh Nass, a lawyer and lobbyist, was arrested on extortion charges after helping client Joseph Schwartz secure a presidential pardon from President Trump late last year. Schwartz is a former nursing home executive who received the pardon through Nass's lobbying efforts. The arrest suggests federal investigators are examining potential criminal conduct in the pardon-seeking process. Nass now faces extortion charges while his recent lobbying success for Schwartz has drawn law enforcement scrutiny. The case marks a rare instance of criminal charges against a lobbyist involved in presidential pardon advocacy.
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Federal investigators are examining potential criminal conduct in the pardon-seeking process.
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A pardon lobbyist, $500,000 demand and alleged 'enforcer' lead to extortion charge in New York - AP News

New York lawyer linked to Trump pardon charged with attempted extortion

Lobbyist Arrested in Extortion Attempt of Client Who Received a Trump Pardon
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