In a systematic display of political patronage, Trump granted executive clemency to a series of convicted individuals, prioritizing wealthy campaign contributors and ardent MAGA loyalists. These pardons represent a dramatic expansion of Trump’s first-term pardon strategy, transforming the …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationEd MartinMichele FioreTodd Chrisley+3 morepardonregulatory-capturepolitical-patronageexecutive-power-abusewhite-collar-crime
A House Judiciary Committee review revealed that Trump’s pardons eliminated $1.3 billion in restitution from white-collar criminals and January 6 defendants. Notable cases include Todd Chrisley’s $17.7 million tax fraud pardon, Carlos Watson’s $36.7 million investor fraud clemency, …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationHouse Judiciary Committee DemocratsLiz Oyerpardongovernment-contractsjustice-weaponizationwhite-collar-crimejudicial-abuse
President Trump issued a series of pardons to individuals convicted of financial crimes in February 2025, including Rod Blagojevich (former Illinois governor convicted of corruption), the Chrisleys (reality TV stars convicted of bank fraud), Michael Grimm (former congressman convicted of tax fraud), …
Donald TrumpRod BlagojevichTodd ChrisleyJulie ChrisleyMichael Grimm+5 morepardonfinancial-crimeswhite-collar-crimemoney-launderingwire-fraud+4 more
Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), President Trump’s first congressional supporter, was indicted for an insider trading scheme involving Innate Immunotherapeutics, an Australian biotechnology company where he served on the board. On June 22, 2017, while attending a Congressional Picnic at the White …
Chris CollinsCameron CollinsStephen ZarskyInnate ImmunotherapeuticsGeoffrey S. Berman+1 morecongressional-corruptioninsider-tradingprosecutionsregulatory-capturewhite-collar-crime
On July 7, 2004, a federal grand jury indicted Enron founder and former CEO Kenneth Lay on 11 counts of securities fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements to banks. The indictment charged that Lay repeatedly lied to investors, employees, and federal regulators about Enron’s …
Kenneth LayJeffrey SkillingDepartment of Justicecorporate-fraudenronsecurities-fraudcriminal-prosecutionwhite-collar-crime
On September 12, 2002, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau indicted former Tyco International CEO Dennis Kozlowski, CFO Mark Swartz, and General Counsel Mark Belnick on charges of looting at least $600 million from the company through fraudulent loans and unauthorized stock sales. The …
Dennis KozlowskiMark SwartzMark Belnickcorporate-fraudtycosecurities-fraudexecutive-lootingwhite-collar-crime
On July 21, 2002, WorldCom filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing $107 billion in assets and $41 billion in debt—making it the largest bankruptcy in American history. The filing came just 26 days after the company disclosed $3.8 billion in accounting fraud, demonstrating the speed at …
Bernard EbbersWorldComScott Sullivancorporate-fraudworldcombankruptcyaccounting-fraudwhite-collar-crime
On June 25, 2002, WorldCom, the second-largest telecommunications company in the United States, announced it would restate its financial statements after discovering $3.8 billion in fraudulent accounting entries. The company admitted that “certain transfers” from line cost expenses to …
Bernard EbbersCynthia CooperScott SullivanWorldComcorporate-fraudworldcomaccounting-fraudsecurities-fraudwhite-collar-crime
Enron filed for bankruptcy after a series of meetings between its executives, Vice President Dick Cheney, and the National Energy Policy Development Group. The bankruptcy exposed massive corporate fraud, with the company having claimed $101 billion in revenues but ultimately collapsing due to …
Dick CheneyKenneth LayJeffrey SkillingAndrew Fastowcorporate-fraudenergy-policybankruptcyregulatory-capturewhite-collar-crime
On October 16, 2001, Enron announced a $618 million quarterly loss, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s downfall. The loss was largely attributed to a one-time charge for terminating “certain structured finance arrangements” known as the Raptors, which were partnerships …
Charles H. Keating Jr. was indicted on 42 counts of fraud and racketeering related to the Lincoln Savings and Loan collapse. The indictment exposed massive financial fraud involving risky junk bond investments that led to billions in losses for investors and taxpayers.
Charles H. Keating Jr.Charles Keating IIIfinancial-fraudsavings-and-loan-crisiscorporate-crimeracketeeringwhite-collar-crime
Between 1988 and 1992, the Department of Justice prosecutes over 1,000 savings and loan bankers for fraud and related crimes during the S&L crisis, with regulators making over 30,000 criminal referrals that produce felony convictions in cases designated as “major” by DOJ. Federal …
Department of JusticeFederal Bureau of InvestigationOffice of Thrift SupervisionS&L executivess&l-crisisprosecutionsaccountabilitywhite-collar-crimejustice-department
Charles H. Keating Jr.’s Lincoln Savings and Loan Association in Irvine, California, was discovered to have $135 million in unreported losses and substantially exceeded risky investment limits. The bank was selling high-risk, uninsured junk bonds to 22,000 unsuspecting investors, many of whom …
Charles H. Keating Jr.Lincoln Savings and Loan Associationfinancial-fraudsavings-and-loan-crisiscorporate-crimeinvestment-fraudwhite-collar-crime