Castillero Sought Trump Pardon After $386 Million Fraud Conviction, Citing MAGA Loyalty
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Castillero Sought Trump Pardon After $386 Million Fraud Conviction, Citing MAGA Loyalty
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Summary
After Michael Castillero’s Manhattan conviction in a $386 million fraud scheme last fall, his lawyer drafted a pardon request to President Donald Trump.
Peter Ticktin argued Castillero was a “true MAGA” supporter targeted by the “Biden lawfare machine,” framing the case as political persecution rather than ordinary fraud.
The letter also invoked judges tied to Trump grievances, noting Jesse Furman’s scrutiny in the Mahmoud Khalil matter and Lewis Kaplan’s role in E. Jean Carroll’s civil case.
The appeal illustrates how pardon lobbying under Trump has increasingly leaned on personal loyalty and shared political resentments alongside traditional legal arguments.