Full Breakdown
Lobbyist Indicted Over Extortion Tied to Trump-Pardoned Nursing-Home Owner
4/25/2026, 1:04:49 AM
Indictment of Joshua Nass
Attorney Joshua Nass, founder of lobbying firm Merkava Strategies, was indicted in Brooklyn federal court on April 24, 2026 on six criminal counts alleging an attempt to extort $500,000 from three individuals. Court filings say Nass hired a third party to intimidate a former client and the client’s son into paying the sum. The indictment follows his March arrest on the same intimidation charge.
Background and Context
President Donald Trump pardoned nursing-home owner Joseph Schwartz, convicted of tax fraud, on November 14, 2025—three months after Schwartz began serving a three-year sentence. Congressional lobbying records show Nass agreed to represent Schwartz in the pardon petition. Trump’s second term featured a markedly higher use of presidential clemency powers than his predecessors.
Timeline
- March 2026 – Nass arrested on intimidation-extortion charge.
- April 24 2026 – Federal indictment filed, detailing six counts.
Data & Statistics
- Six criminal counts.
- $500,000 alleged extortion demand.
- Three targeted individuals.
- Schwartz’s original three-year prison sentence.
Official Statements & Responses
A spokesperson for the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the indictment.
Criticism & Opposition
Nass’s attorney, Henry Mazurek, denied any harassment or threats and characterized the indictment as a government-driven effort to humiliate his client for securing pardons.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Court documents do not name the former client directly; two sources identify him as Joseph Schwartz, but the indictment itself omits the name. The identity of the third targeted individual also remains undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Josh never took the government's bait. This indictment is an attempt to humiliate Josh for doing the work of obtaining pardons for those serving long prison sentences,” — Henry Mazurek, attorney for Joshua Nass
- “His lawyer, Henry Mazurek, said Nass had never harassed, threatened or committed violence against anyone, and that the case was "created" by the government and an informant.” — Henry Mazurek
- “Attorney Joshua Nass, founder of lobbying firm Merkava Strategies, faces six criminal counts stemming from an attempt to extort money from three people, according to an indictment in Brooklyn federal court made public on Thursday evening.” — Indictment summary
- “• Nass was arrested in March on charges of hiring someone to intimidate a former client and his son into paying him $500,000.” — Court records
Why It Matters
The case highlights how lobbying and the use of presidential clemency can become entangled with alleged criminal conduct, occurring against a backdrop of President Trump’s unusually frequent use of clemency powers.
What’s Next
Nass has not entered a plea, and the indictment paves the way for the case to proceed toward trial. A spokesperson for the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment on any upcoming schedule.
