President Donald Trump pardoned Paul Walczak, a former nursing home executive convicted of tax fraud, in 2024 after Walczak pleaded guilty. The pardon followed Walczak’s mother, Elizabeth Fago, attending a $1 million-per-person Mar-a-Lago fundraising dinner offering guaranteed access to Trump.
Walczak stole over $10 million from employees to finance luxury items, pleaded guilty to 13 tax crimes, paid $4.4 million in restitution, and received an 18-month sentence.
Trump signed Walczak’s pardon three weeks after the fundraiser, enabling him to avoid prison and restitution, while the application cited his mother’s political support.
The event highlights concerns over Trump’s use of pardons linked to donors, suggesting loyalty and money may influence clemency decisions in his administration.
