“As President Trump prepares to leave office in days, a lucrative market for pardons is coming to a head, with some of his allies collecting fees from wealthy felons or their associates to push the White House for clemency.” nytimes.com/2021/01/17/us/…
“One of the lobbyists closest to Trump and his administration, Matt Schlapp, who was tapped by Trump last month to sit on the trust fund board for the Library of Congress, has been lobbying for a pardon for a major Republican donor convicted of securities fraud in November.”
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“After stepping down as the president’s lawyer, Dowd marketed himself as a potential conduit for pardons because of his access to Trump and aides like Kushner, saying the president was likely to look favorably on petitioners investigated by federal prosecutors in Manhattan”
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“In July 2018, Giorno signed an agreement with Mr. Kiriakou, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, ‘to seek a full pardon from President Donald Trump of his conviction’ for $50,000 and promised another $50,000 as a bonus if she secured a pardon.”
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“Kiriakou said he broached a pardon at a meeting w/Giuliani and associates at Trump Hotel, which involved substantial alcohol. When Giuliani went to the bathroom, one of his confidants turned to Kiriakou and suggested Giuliani could help. ‘it’s going to cost $2-M.’ “
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“Kiriakou shared the anecdote at a party last fall. A friend, a former air marshal named Robert J. MacLean, became alarmed and feared Giuliani might be selling pardons. MacLean filed a report with the F.B.I. Neither he nor Mr. Kiriakou heard from the authorities.”
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“Giuliani rejected the portrayal, saying that he didn’t remember meeting w/Kiriakou and that none of his associates would offer him as a pardon broker due to ‘conflict of interest. He said he’d heard large fees were being offered, ‘but I have enough money. I’m not starving.’ “
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