Federal prosecutors in New York have arrested and charged Joshua Nass, 34, a lobbyist who previously represented an ex-nursing home operator pardoned by President Donald Trump, with attempting to extort $500,000 from his former client and the client’s son. Nass faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the attempted extortion charge.
Court documents allege that Nass recruited a confidential witness in January to pressure the former client and intimidate his son into paying the claimed $500,000. The father and son are identified in court documents only as “John Doe 1” and “John Doe 2.”
FBI Alleges Extortion Scheme
Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York field office, James Barnacle Jr., stated, “Rather than honestly representing his client, Joshua Nass allegedly chose to shake him down by hiring an enforcer to extort payment.” The FBI prioritizes crushing violent crimes offenses and extortion schemes.
Lobbying Activities and Presidential Pardon
A federal lobbying disclosure form filed on January 15, signed by Nass, listed Joseph Schwartz as a client. The filing indicated that Nass’s firm generated an estimated $100,000 in income for lobbying activities during the final three months of 2025, with “federal presidential pardon advocacy” listed as one of his lobbying issues. Joseph Schwartz had pleaded guilty in federal court in 2024 for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country. President Trump had pardoned Schwartz in November.
Alleged Threats and Payment Dispute
According to a letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nass agreed in December to provide lobbying services to the client for $600,000. The client’s son made a $100,000 payment but requested a payment plan for the remaining balance, which Nass reportedly viewed as an “insult.” Nass, who is also a licensed attorney in New York, allegedly instructed the witness to go to the son’s New York-area home to compel payment. The son reportedly shut the door after being told Nass had sent the witness.
Between January and March, Nass and the witness discussed methods to extort the payment, including assaulting the son or forcing him into a car with masked men and threatening him, according to the government’s news release. Nass reportedly stated he did not want the witness to behave “like a human being with” the son, as detailed in an FBI agent’s affidavit.
Fonte: ABC News
