A political lobbyist with direct ties to the Trump White House pardon process has been hit with serious federal charges after allegedly attempting to use threats of physical violence to collect an unpaid debt from a former client and his son.
Joshua Nass, a South Carolina-based lobbyist who operates a political consulting firm called Merkava Strategies, was arrested Friday outside a New York hotel. Federal prosecutors allege that Nass recruited an individual to intimidate and potentially harm a former client in order to recover $500,000 in outstanding lobbying fees. He was brought before a federal judge in Brooklyn the following day and released on a $5 million bond. If convicted on the attempted extortion charge, Nass faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Neither Nass nor legal representation on his behalf responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
A Debt That Turned Dangerous
According to court documents and an FBI affidavit, the dispute stems from a lobbying agreement in which Nass was owed $600,000 for services rendered. The former client’s son transferred an initial payment of $100,000 but subsequently informed Nass that he was unable to produce the remaining balance. Rather than pursuing the matter through legal channels, Nass allegedly chose a far more threatening path.
In January, Nass reportedly contacted an individual who was secretly cooperating with federal law enforcement. The two communicated in both English and Russian, exchanging text messages in which they discussed confronting the former client’s son directly at his home to force repayment. Court filings include a recorded exchange in which the informant offered to physically assault the son, and Nass allegedly responded by granting him full authority to do whatever was necessary.
When the informant falsely reported back that the son had refused to cooperate, Nass allegedly escalated his demands. He agreed to pay the informant $15,000 to carry out a physical assault, with an additional $5,000 available to recruit more individuals if needed. In one particularly troubling exchange, Nass allegedly instructed the informant not to treat the son “like a human being” if he continued to refuse payment.
Pardon Connections Add a Broader Dimension
Court filings do not name Nass’s alleged victims directly. However, federal lobbying disclosure records indicate that the only $100,000 payment Nass received as a lobbyist in 2025 came from Joseph Schwartz, a former nursing home executive who had been convicted of tax-related crimes. Nass had been retained to pursue a presidential clemency arrangement for Schwartz, who began serving his sentence in August before receiving a pardon from President Trump in November.
The connection between Nass and a successful Trump pardon adds a significant layer of public interest to the case, raising broader questions about the informal networks and financial arrangements that surround the presidential clemency process.
A Self-Described Problem Solver Faces Serious Consequences
Merkava Strategies, Nass’s consulting firm, markets itself as a resource for individuals and organizations navigating complex political, regulatory, and reputational challenges. The federal charges now facing its founder represent a dramatic reversal for someone who positioned himself as a fixer capable of resolving difficult situations. The case is being prosecuted in federal court in Brooklyn, where proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
