Lobbyists pitch high-priced services to secure presidential pardons

An investigation has revealed the existence of a lucrative cottage industry of pardon brokers who claim they can secure presidential clemency for a high fee by leveraging ties to the president’s orbit.

In a recorded interaction at a Virginia hotel, lobbyists Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl pitched their services to Ammon Covino, a convicted felon seeking a pardon. The brokers suggested that the standard Department of Justice application process is insufficient and that applicants must instead apply pressure on the president from multiple directions. The pitch reportedly included a request for $300,000 to facilitate access and influence.

While the practice of using lobbyists to seek clemency is not illegal, the investigation highlights concerns regarding the transactional nature of the pardon process and whether financial influence creates inequities in how mercy is distributed.