Pardon seekers and those who work on their behalf have allies of President Trump
Donald Trump Facebook bans ads for armaments temporarily after Capitol riots Sasse, in a fiery open, says QAnon destroys GOP Article 230 worked after the uprising, but not before: How to regulate social media MORE tens of thousands of dollars to pressure the president to grant mercy, The New York Times reports on Sunday.
The Times, citing documents and interviews with more than three dozen lobbyists and lawyers, reported that apologies for forgiveness increased as people realized that Trump’s election challenges would not be effective and that his presidency was reaching its final days. has.
Former federal prosecutor Brett Tolman, who has been advising the Trump administration on pardons, is among those who have raised tens of thousands of dollars in recent weeks to ask the president to lobby several people, including a son of a former Arkansas senator, the founder of the online drug. Marketplace Silk Road and a Manhattan woman who, according to the Times, pleaded guilty to fraud.
The Trump administration said Tolman had helped “less connected” individuals obtain pardon, and no public reports indicate Tolman was paid for it.
Friday on Twitter, Tolman said he ‘represented many people to receive grace. Some paid customers, many were pro bono. I am proud of my team’s grace work. ”
John Dowd, Trump’s former personal lawyer, also took in tens of thousands of dollars from clients, including a wealthy sports gambler, who pointed to his close relationship with the president to work for their mercy and advised them to file Trump’s complaints about the justice system. discuss.
Former Trump campaign adviser Karen Giorno has been fined $ 50,000 for acquitting John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer who was found guilty of disclosing the name of a CIA officer involved in the boarding a U.S. prisoner. A copy of the agreement obtained by the Times indicates that she would receive a $ 50,000 bonus if Trump forgave Kiriakou.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump and his government operated the licensing system differently from other presidents, benefiting those linked to or able to pay Trump or his allies, advocates told the Times.
‘This type of booklet has an impact on the provision of a system of special privileges, denies the hundreds of ordinary people obediently drafted as required by the rules of the Department of Justice, and it is a basic violation of the long-standing effort to at least make this process seem fair, ”former US forgiveness lawyer Margaret Love told the newspaper.
It is not illegal for the president’s allies to be paid to practice a waiver, as only payments to the president can be investigated for violating bribery laws. There was no evidence that Trump himself was offered money in exchange for mercy.
The Times reported earlier this month that Trump is trying to forgive himself and his adult children. Such a waiver will only apply to federal crimes, and it is unclear whether a self-aggrandizement will persist if challenged.
The apology may come after Trump was charged last week with a charge of inciting violence at the Capitol that resulted in five deaths. The trial of the Senate will begin after he leaves office.