Hassan Nemazee Hires Mercury to Seek Trump Pardon Over $292 Million Fraud Conviction
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 11
Hassan Nemazee Hires Mercury to Seek Trump Pardon Over $292 Million Fraud Conviction
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 11
Mercury Public Affairs began representing Hassan Nemazee on April 1 in a bid for a presidential pardon, according to a lobbying disclosure filed Friday.
Nemazee, a former top Democratic fundraiser, pleaded guilty after prosecutors said he fraudulently obtained $292 million in bank loans; he was sentenced to 12 years and left prison early in 2019.
Brette Powell, a former Trump administration and 2024 campaign aide, is leading the effort with Mercury partner Michael McSherry, a Republican strategist tied to Trump’s 2016 convention operation.
Nemazee has already completed his sentence but is still making court-ordered restitution payments, with records showing he paid 15% of earnings through 2022 and 15% of total income annually since 2023.
Can a fraud conviction be overcome by hiring the president’s former aides?
Could a presidential pardon erase a $292 million fraudster's remaining debt to his victims?
Does a First Step Act success story now need a pardon bought by lobbyists?