Story perspectives

Trump pardons health fraud defendant, accused of $1.8 B slush fund.

6/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Philip Esformes, the defendant in the largest health-care fraud case.
U.S. President Donald Trump also pardoned Lawrence Duran, Jason Galanis, Devon Archer, Joseph Schwartz, Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley.
Critics argue the pardons protect conspirators who siphoned funds from a Minnesota child-nutrition program.
Accusers claim U.S. President Donald Trump created a $1.8 billion taxpayer slush fund to compensate those he pardoned after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Philip Esformes, the defendant in the largest health-care fraud case.
U.S. President Donald Trump also pardoned Lawrence Duran, Jason Galanis, Devon Archer, Joseph Schwartz, Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley.
Critics argue the pardons protect conspirators who siphoned funds from a Minnesota child-nutrition program.
Accusers claim U.S. President Donald Trump created a $1.8 billion taxpayer slush fund to compensate those he pardoned after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.