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Pardon seekers and those who lobby on their behalf have paid allies of President Trump
Donald TrumpFacebook Temporarily Bans Ads For Weapon Accessories Following Capitol Sasse Riots, In Fiery Editorial Says QAnon Destroys Section 230 Of The GOP That Worked After The Insurgency But Not Before: How To Regulate social media LEARN MORE tens of thousands of dollars to pressure the president to grant leniency, The New York Times reported on Sunday.
The Times, citing documents and interviews with more than three dozen lobbyists and lawyers, reported that pressure for pardons intensified as people realized that Trump’s election challenges would not be effective. and that his presidency was reaching its last days.
Former federal prosecutor Brett Tolman, who has advised the Trump administration on pardons, is among those who have raised tens of thousands of dollars in recent weeks to ask the president to pressure several people, including a son of ‘a former senator from Arkansas, founder of online drugs. Silk Road marketplace and a Manhattan woman who pleaded guilty to fraud, according to the Times.
The Trump administration has said Tolman helped “less connected” people obtain leniency, and there is no public record to indicate that Tolman was paid for it.
On Twitter Friday, Tolman said he had “represented many people for clemency.” Some have paid clients, many have volunteered. I am proud of the leniency work of my team.
John Dowd, Trump’s former personal attorney, also cashed in tens of thousands of dollars from clients, including a wealthy sports player, highlighting his close relationship with the president to push for leniency and advising them to discuss the complaints of Trump regarding the justice system.
Former Trump campaign advisor Karen Giorno received $ 50,000 to try to obtain pardon from John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer convicted of revealing the name of a CIA officer involved in waterboarding in ‘an American prisoner. A copy of the deal obtained by The Times says she would receive a bounty of $ 50,000 if Trump forgave Kiriakou.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump and his administration have handled the pardon system differently from other presidents, which has benefited those who are related or able to pay Trump or his allies, pardon lawyers told The Times.
“This type of off-book influence peddling, the system of special privileges denies consideration to the hundreds of ordinary people who have obediently aligned themselves as required by the rules of the Department of Justice, and is a fundamental violation of the efforts of long date to at least show this process. fair, ”former US pardon attorney Margaret Love told the newspaper.
It is not illegal for the president’s allies to be paid to lobby for pardon, as only offers to pay the president could be considered for violating corruption laws. There has been no evidence that Trump himself was offered money in return for leniency.
The Times reported earlier this month, Trump openly discussed the attempt to forgive oneself and his adult children. Such a pardon would only apply to federal crimes, and it is not clear whether self-pardon would hold up if challenged.
Self-forgiveness could come after Trump’s impeachment last week for inciting violence on Capitol Hill, which resulted in five deaths. The Senate trial is expected to begin after he leaves.
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