Attorney Who Secured Trump Pardon Accused of Violent Extortion Plot
Federal authorities have arrested a prominent lobbyist and attorney who previously assisted in securing a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, charging him with orchestrating a violent extortion scheme against a former client. Joshua Nass, 34, was taken into custody by FBI agents in New York on Friday, facing serious allegations that could result in up to two decades behind bars if he is convicted.
Details of the Alleged Extortion Attempt
Prosecutors assert that Nass attempted to force a former client to pay $500,000, claiming the sum was owed for lobbying services rendered. According to court documents, which identify the client and his son only as "John Doe 1" and "John Doe 2," Nass had initially agreed to provide lobbying assistance in exchange for $600,000. The client's son made an initial payment of $100,000, but when the remaining balance was not forthcoming, Nass allegedly resorted to threats and intimidation to collect the money.
"As alleged, Nass plotted the violent extortion of one of his own clients and hired an individual to 'do anything and everything' to force the client's son to pay for services," stated Joseph Nocella, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The FBI's Assistant Director in Charge, James Barnacle, echoed these sentiments, noting that "rather than honestly representing his client, Joshua Nass allegedly chose to shake him down by hiring an enforcer to extort payment."
Violent Threats and Coercive Tactics
Authorities detail that Nass recruited another individual to act as an "enforcer," providing phone numbers and home addresses to pressure the client's son into paying. The enforcer reportedly visited the son's home to demand the money, but the son refused and shut the door. Between January 2026 and March 2026, Nass repeatedly contacted this person to devise ways to coerce payment, including discussions of physically attacking the son or forcing him into a car with masked men to intimidate the family.
At one point, Nass allegedly told the enforcer that if the son refused to pay, he could not treat him like a "human being." Nass also promised to pay the enforcer at least $15,000 for assistance, providing $5,000 upfront and the remainder once the son paid Nass.
Connection to Trump Pardon Case
While officials have not confirmed a direct link between the extortion attempt and the pardon effort, court filings suggest the targets were Joseph Schwartz, who was pardoned last year, and one of his sons. A federal lobbying disclosure form filed in January shows that Nass listed Schwartz as a client for the final three months of 2025, reporting an estimated $100,000 in earnings for lobbying work, including "federal presidential pardon advocacy." This aligns with Trump's pardon of Schwartz in November 2025.
Schwartz had pleaded guilty in 2024 for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned nationwide through the New Jersey-based Skyline Management Group. Nass's involvement in securing the pardon has now drawn scrutiny amid the extortion charges.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Nass was arrested outside a New York hotel on the same day he was scheduled to meet with a cooperating witness who aided investigators. He was scheduled for an initial court appearance on Saturday. His attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press, and representatives for Nass, as well as the White House, have been contacted for further statements.
If convicted, Nass could face up to 20 years in prison, marking a dramatic fall from his role as a lobbyist involved in high-profile pardon cases. The case underscores ongoing legal and ethical challenges in lobbying and legal representation, particularly in matters involving presidential clemency.
