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Federal authorities have arrested a lobbyist who worked for a nursing home operator pardoned by former President Donald Trump on charges of attempting to extort $500,000 from a former client and his son.
Joshua Nass, 34, of Charleston, South Carolina, appeared before a magistrate judge in Brooklyn on Saturday facing an attempted extortion charge, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Released on $5 million bond, Nass could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Court documents allege that beginning in January, Nass recruited and agreed to pay a confidential witness to intimidate his former client and the client’s son into paying $500,000 that Nass claimed he was owed for services. The father and son are identified only as “John Doe 1” and “John Doe 2” in court documents.
“Rather than honestly representing his client, Joshua Nass allegedly chose to shake him down by hiring an enforcer to extort payment,” said James Barnacle Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office. “The FBI prioritizes crushing violent crimes offenses and extortion schemes.”
Federal lobbying records show that Nass had represented Joseph Schwartz, a former nursing home operator. A disclosure form filed with Congress on January 15 and digitally signed by Nass listed Schwartz as a client during the final quarter of 2025. The form indicated that Nass’s firm generated approximately $100,000 in lobbying income during that period, with “federal presidential pardon advocacy” listed among the services provided.
In November, Trump pardoned Joseph Schwartz, who had pleaded guilty in 2024 for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country. Schwartz had operated New Jersey-based Skyline Management Group, which ran facilities in multiple states before its collapse.
When reached for comment, John Marzulli, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, declined to confirm whether the allegations against Nass were connected to his work with Schwartz.
According to a letter from prosecutors, Nass agreed in December to provide lobbying services to the unnamed client, who signed an agreement to pay $600,000 for these services. The client’s son helped make an initial $100,000 payment but indicated they could not immediately pay the full amount and requested a payment plan. Nass reportedly viewed this request as an “insult,” according to court documents.
Nass was arrested outside his New York hotel on Friday, the same day he had expected to meet with the confidential witness who had been cooperating with authorities, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that between January and March, Nass and the witness discussed various methods to extort payment, including assaulting the son or forcing him into a car with masked men and threatening him. An FBI affidavit quotes Nass as saying he did not want the witness to behave “like a human being with” the son.
In a particularly aggressive move, Nass allegedly sent the witness to the son’s New York-area home to demand payment, but the son shut the door after learning Nass had sent him.
Nass, who is also a licensed attorney in New York state, founded his own lobbying firm and has built a career representing clients seeking influence in government circles. His arrest highlights the sometimes murky intersection between lobbying activities and client relationships in Washington’s political ecosystem.
The case has drawn attention to the presidential pardon process, which has faced scrutiny in recent years over allegations that access and influence can play outsized roles in pardon decisions. Schwartz’s pardon came among a wave of clemency actions in the final months of Trump’s presidency.
Nass’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment on the case. The investigation remains ongoing.
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10 Comments
This case highlights the potential for abuse of power and influence in the political arena. It’s critical that those involved in lobbying are held to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Proper oversight and enforcement are essential.
Absolutely. The public deserves to have confidence that the political process is being conducted with integrity. Cases like this undermine that trust and need to be addressed swiftly and decisively.
Extortion charges against a lobbyist are concerning. It’s important that those in positions of influence are held accountable for their actions. This case could have wider ramifications for the lobbying industry and its practices.
Absolutely. Transparency and ethical behavior should be the norm for all those involved in the political process, including lobbyists. Robust checks and balances are needed.
This is a troubling development that speaks to the potential for abuse of power in the lobbying industry. I hope the authorities are able to get to the bottom of the allegations and ensure justice is served.
Me too. Maintaining public trust in the political system is critical, and cases like this undermine that. Rigorous oversight and enforcement are essential.
Interesting case involving a lobbyist accused of extorting money. It highlights the potential for abuse of power and influence in the political arena. Curious to see how this plays out and if there are any broader implications for the lobbying industry.
Agreed, these types of allegations undermine public trust in the political process. Proper oversight and enforcement are crucial to maintaining integrity.
Allegations of extortion against a lobbyist are very concerning. It’s important that those in positions of power are held to the highest ethical standards. This case bears close watching to see if there are any wider implications.
Agreed. The lobbying industry needs to be subject to robust scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability. Incidents like this erode public confidence, which is deeply problematic.