Trump Pardons Donor’s Son After Fundraiser

President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to Paul Walczak, a former nursing home executive who pleaded guilty to embezzling over $10 million in employee payroll taxes to fund his own lifestyle. The pardon came less than three weeks after Walczak's mother, Elizabeth Fago—a major Republican donor and fundraiser—attended a $1 million-per-person Mar-a-Lago event and had direct access to Trump. Fago was also involved in efforts to publicize Ashley Biden’s diary during the 2020 election cycle. Walczak's pardon application argued his prosecution was politically motivated due to his mother's political activities. The pardon spared Walczak from serving his 18-month prison sentence and paying nearly $4.4 million in restitution. The case has intensified scrutiny of Trump's use of clemency, including for Jan. 6 defendants and other high-profile allies.