How pardon brokers determine their prices | 60 Minutes
In a Nutshell
Pardon brokers charge $300K–$1M based on case difficulty, criminal history, and opportunity cost; most of the fee is profit, with a small portion covering event access rather than political donations. They bypass the DOJ process entirely, instead running a lobbying-style advocacy campaign that involves talking to hundreds of contacts weekly to push clients to the top of the presidential clemency list. The firm positions its work as countering alleged political persecution and frames the entire effort as a broad, ongoing influence operation rather than a one-time transaction.
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When asked about quoting $300,000 to Armand and $600,000 to Boozie, the pardon broker explained that multiple factors determine pricing. A significant consideration is the client's criminal history. Individuals with extensive criminal records make it substantially more difficult to argue for a pardon. The broker evaluates cases based on difficulty level, required resources, and opportunity cost from declining other clients.
The broker was questioned about telling the Cabinos that part of the $300,000 would fund tickets to fundraising events at Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster. The broker clarified that expenses include travel to events the firm may or may not otherwise attend, but stated the lion's share represents payment for services and profit. The broker denied any political contributions, stating there is no pay-to-play arrangement.
Mr. Schwartz paid nearly a million dollars for advocacy services and "strategery." When questioned about the amount, the broker encouraged comparison with competitor lobbying fees across all directions and suggested studying the top five competitors. The broker emphasized that advocacy requires years of knowledge, training, and government experience.
When the Cavinos inquired about pursuing pardons through the Department of Justice, the broker stated the DOJ is irrelevant and an afterthought. The broker explained that President Trump does not make decisions based on nameless, faceless bureaucrats. The broker contrasted this with traditional DOJ processes used by Biden, Obama, Bush, and Clinton administrations, noting those processes can take so long they may not be completed before a president leaves office or a person dies.
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