The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating a potentially criminal scheme involving paying a bribe to people either in or affiliated with the White House in exchange for an unknown person receiving a presidential pardon, according to court documents that were unsealed Tuesday.
The court records, which were unsealed by the District Court for the District of Columbia, says the DOJ investigation involves two people, whose names are redacted, who were improperly acting as lobbyists to secure the pardon for a person whose name is also redacted. The plot involved the person offering a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence.
It was not immediately clear for whom the pardon would be granted or where the bribe would be directed.
The disclosure, contained in a 20-page filing littered with redactions, comes amid reports that President TrumpDonald John TrumpGeraldo Rivera on Trump sowing election result doubts: ‘Enough is enough now’Murkowski: Trump should concede White House raceScott Atlas resigns as coronavirus adviser to TrumpMORE is considering pardoning an array of associates in the waning days of his presidency.
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