Joshua Nass, a New York lobbyist and attorney linked to presidential pardons issued by Donald Trump, has been charged with attempted extortion against a former client and the client’s son over an alleged $500,000 debt. According to federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, Nass threatened the client for payment he claimed was owed for his services.
Key Takeaways
Joshua Nass, a New York lobbyist linked to Trump pardons, has been charged with attempted extortion for threatening a former client and his son over a $500,000 debt. Prosecutors allege he instructed an informant to physically assault them.
- Joshua Nass arrested in New York on charges of attempted extortion
- Accused of threatening former client and son to recover $500,000 in owed fees
- Allegedly offered $15,000 to have the client’s son assaulted
- Faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted
- Nass was released on a $5 million bond after court appearance
Nass is accused of providing an unnamed individual with a phone number and addresses to intimidate the client at his home. Prosecutors allege that Nass instructed the individual to 'do anything and everything' to force the payment, including physically assaulting the client’s son or forcing him into a car with masked men. Nass faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Nass had a role in Trump's pardon of Joseph Schwartz, who was convicted in Arkansas for his ownership of a nursing-home empire that failed to pay nearly $40 million in employment and payroll taxes. According to prosecutors, the son of Nass’s client facilitated a $100,000 payment out of $600,000 owed for lobbying services.
The case against Nass comes amid allegations that Trump's system of clemency is influenced by lobbyists. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has rejected this assertion, stating that anyone spending money to lobby for pardons is 'foolishly wasting their money.'
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