A $900,000 inaugural donor obstructed the donation probe; Trump later commuted his sentence
Reporting and findings
- documentedSuperseded · open corrected record
Trump commuted Zuberi's prison sentence on May 28, 2025 while leaving the conviction and financial penalties intact; the Ninth Circuit later affirmed the convictions while ordering only a limited sentencing remand.
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: United States v. Zuberi, memorandum dispositionDisposition and conclusion
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney: Commutation warrant for Imaad ZuberiCommutation warrant dated May 28, 2025
- convicted
Zuberi pleaded guilty to FARA, illegal campaign-contribution, tax-evasion, and obstruction offenses and was sentenced in 2021 to 12 years in prison, a $1.75 million fine, and $15.7 million in restitution.
- convicted
Zuberi made a $900,000 donation through his company to Trump's presidential inaugural committee in late 2016; DOJ said some money came from other people and his later backdated refund of $50,000 formed part of the obstruction case.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Central District of California: Political Donor Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Lobbying and Campaign Contribution Crimes, Tax Evasion, Obstruction of JusticeParagraphs describing the $900,000 donation and backdated $50,000 refund
Summary and current status
Imaad Zuberi routed $900,000 through his company to Trump's inaugural committee, then obstructed the federal investigation into that donation. His broader convictions covered illegal conduit contributions, unregistered foreign-agent work, tax evasion, and obstruction. Trump commuted his prison sentence in 2025 without erasing the convictions.
Convictions affirmed; prison term commuted in 2025 with conviction and financial penalties intact.
People and organizations
- Imaad Zuberidonor, convicted defendant, and commutation recipient
- Donald J. Trumpinauguration honoree and president granting commutation
- 58th Presidential Inaugural Committeerecipient of the donation
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumpcommuted prison sentence ofImaad Zuberi
- Donald J. Trumphad inaugural committee receive $900,000 fromImaad Zuberi
Recorded outcomes
- otherNon-cash outcome
Presidential commutation of Zuberi's remaining prison term; the conviction and financial penalties were not pardoned.
Money trail
paymentDonation routed to Trump inaugural committee$900,000 - Paid by / source
- Imaad Zuberi and other contributors
- Received by
- 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee