Pardon Me? Why Offers To Secure Clemency Might Be A Scam
Marc Scholl, counsel at Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss PLLC, was quoted in a recent Law360 article examining the surge of costly and potentially fraudulent clemency offers targeting white collar defendants. The article highlights the rise of consultants charging exorbitant fees for purported access to presidential pardons during President Trump's second term.
Scholl, a former white collar prosecutor and investigator of public corruption, noted the absence of clear justification in some of Trump’s recent clemency decisions, particularly in crypto-related prosecutions, suggesting a shift in how white collar offenses are being treated at the highest levels. “There does not seem to be any clear, concrete reasons for why they [the defendants] should be pardoned,” Scholl said.
The piece raises concerns about the ethics and legality of selling access to presidential clemency, with experts warning clients to be wary of scams.