Lobbyist pardoned by Trump, arrested and charged with extortion in New York

Federal authorities in New York have made a significant arrest in a case of attempted extortion involving a lobbyist who had previously worked on behalf of a nursing home operator pardoned by former President Donald Trump. The lobbyist in question, Joshua Nass, 34, from Charleston, South Carolina, was arrested and charged with attempting to force a former client and his son to pay him $500,000, as per court documents released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Nass was scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge on an attempted extortion charge that could potentially lead to a maximum of 20 years in prison if he is convicted. The arrest of Nass comes after allegations that he recruited and paid a confidential witness to intimidate the former client and his son into paying the amount he claimed was owed for services provided.

The documents reveal that Nass, a licensed attorney in New York, had signed an agreement in December to provide lobbying services to the client in exchange for $600,000. However, when the son was unable to make the full payment after an initial installment of $100,000 and requested a payment plan, Nass allegedly viewed this as an insult. This led him to instruct the witness to pressure the son for payment, including threats of violence and intimidation tactics.

The investigation into Nass’s activities also revealed his ties to a client named Joseph Schwartz, whom Trump had pardoned in November. Schwartz had pleaded guilty to involvement in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme related to nursing homes he owned across the country. While it remains uncertain if the allegations against Nass are directly linked to activities involving Schwartz, the case has raised concerns about potential corruption in lobbying and political advocacy.

Nass was apprehended outside his New York hotel on the day he was expected to meet with the confidential witness. The court documents detail conversations between Nass and the witness discussing violent methods to extort payment from the son, including physical assault and kidnapping. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Nass’s attorney has not yet provided any public comment on the case.

The arrest of Joshua Nass underscores the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in lobbying and advocacy work. The FBI’s commitment to combating violent crimes and extortion schemes highlights the gravity of the charges against Nass and the need for accountability in the legal and political spheres. As the case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of abusing power and engaging in illegal activities for personal gain.