Lobbyist Joshua Nass Charged In Alleged $500,000 Extortion Scheme
Joshua Nass was arrested on charges he recruited a purported 'enforcer' to force payment of a claimed $500,000 debt and had disclosed $100,000 for presidential pardon advocacy, filings show.
Daily BeastTrumpworld Lawyer Busted in $500K Extortion Scheme
CNNLobbyist tied to pardon from Trump charged with attempted extortion | CNN Politics
MEDIAiteLawyer Arrested for Allegedly Extorting Client He Successfully Got a Trump Pardon For
ABC NewsA pardon lobbyist, $500,000 demand and alleged 'enforcer' lead to extortion charge in New York
Overview
Federal prosecutors arrested and charged lobbyist Joshua Nass with attempted extortion for allegedly recruiting a confidential witness to threaten a former client and his son over a claimed $500,000 debt, court filings say.
Court documents link Nass's work to Joseph Schwartz and show a $100,000 lobbying payment for 'federal presidential pardon advocacy,' the filings say.
FBI Assistant Director James Barnacle said Nass 'chose to shake him down by hiring an enforcer to extort payment,' the bureau said.
Nass was released on a $5 million bond secured by five properties and $50,000 cash, was placed on GPS monitoring, and faces up to 20 years if convicted, filings say.
Prosecutors said the investigation continues and Nass's arraignment and further court proceedings are pending.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this story neutrally, relying on court documents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office news release and direct quotes (e.g., the FBI’s “shake him down” line) without editorializing. Reporting attributes allegations, notes missing response from Nass’s attorney, and organizes facts chronologically rather than pushing an interpretive narrative.
FAQ
Joseph Schwartz was a client of Joshua Nass convicted of tax crimes related to a nursing-home empire that collapsed amid allegations of endangering residents and defrauding employees.
Nass allegedly recruited a confidential witness as an 'enforcer' to threaten Joseph Schwartz and his son over a claimed $500,000 debt, paying the enforcer $3,000 initially and later agreeing to $15,000.
Nass was paid $100,000 by Joseph Schwartz for lobbying work described as 'federal presidential pardon advocacy,' successfully securing a pardon from Donald Trump.
Nass faces federal charges of attempted extortion and up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Joshua Nass is a public relations executive, crisis communications specialist, and lobbyist with a BA from Brandeis University and a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School.
