Pardon lobbyist Joshua Nass is charged with attempted extortion
Reporting and findings
- documented
Federal prosecutors announced that Joshua Nass was arrested March 13, 2026 and charged by complaint with attempted Hobbs Act extortion. They alleged he enlisted another person to pressure an unnamed former client and the client's son for a claimed $500,000 debt. The demand is an allegation, not an established lobbying payment.
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York: Lawyer charged with attempted extortion of former client and client's son over alleged $500,000 debtMarch 14 announcement: unsealing and arrest date, alleged demand, case 26-MJ-54 and allegation disclaimer.
- reported
AP identified Nass as a lobbyist who had worked for Joseph Schwartz, whom Trump pardoned. AP separately reported the new attempted-extortion charge; the unnamed alleged extortion victims are not identified here as Schwartz or his relatives.
- Associated Press: A pardon lobbyist, $500,000 demand and alleged enforcer lead to extortion charge in New YorkMarch 14 report: pardon-lobbying background and unnamed victims in new complaint.
- documented
Trump granted Joseph Schwartz a pardon on November 14, 2025.
- U.S. Department of Justice: Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump, 2025 to PresentNovember 14, 2025 clemency grants, Joseph Schwartz row.
Summary and current status
Attempted-extortion complaint; allegations not a conviction
People and organizations
- Joshua NassDefendant in the newly announced attempted-extortion case
- Joseph SchwartzPardon recipient whom AP identified as a Nass lobbying client
- Donald J. TrumpPresident who pardoned Joseph Schwartz, a reported Nass lobbying client
Relationships in this file
- Joseph SchwartzPreviously represented the pardon recipient in lobbying workJoshua Nass
- Donald J. TrumpGranted clemency to the reported former lobbying clientJoseph Schwartz
Money trail
otherAlleged Nass extortion demand$500,000 - Reported source
- Unnamed former client and client's son (alleged targets)
- Reported recipient
- Joshua Nass (alleged demand)