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The document, which analyzes the legality of the search for communications and electronic devices of people, including lawyers, is heavily written, with all identifying information hidden.
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WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Justice is investigating an alleged bribery scheme involving campaign donations to secure a presidential pardon, a court file showed Tuesday.
The document, which analyzes the legality of the search for communications and electronic devices of people, including lawyers, is heavily written, with all identifying information hidden.
But it refers to a “secret lobbying plan” targeting “senior White House officials” to obtain a “presidential pardon or suspension of sentence” for an unidentified individual.
The scheme, investigated since at least August, appears to have involved lobbyists and lawyers, a wealthy political campaign donor, and a man or woman who is or was in prison and awaiting presidential intervention.
The filing indicates that lobbyists and attorneys contacted White House officials requesting a presidential pardon or clemency, citing “substantial past campaign contributions” and “anticipated future substantial political contributions” from a donor.
It suggests that the donor is making the offer on behalf of the person seeking clemency.
The document does not indicate when the actions involved occurred and, in the unwritten sections, there is no reference to Trump or his campaign.
But the filing was revealed amid speculation that, with six weeks in the White House after losing the Nov. 3 election, President Donald Trump is preparing to grant executive clemency to more people, after pardoning his former adviser. National Security Officer Michael Flynn last Wednesday.
Trump tweeted Tuesday night: “Pardon Inquiry is Fake News!”
Trump has granted pardons or sentence reductions to several political allies, including campaign consultant Roger Stone, controversial former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Republican activist Dinesh D’Souza.
The New York Times reported that Trump has discussed granting pardons to his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, his three oldest children and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
There is also a public discussion about Trump issuing a pardon for himself, for any crimes he may be charged with related to his time in office, although the legality of that has never been proven.
“A self-pardon would be an appropriate abuse to end Trump’s presidency. It would also be corrupt, illegitimate and void,” Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said in a tweet Tuesday.
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