The Daily Beast Podcast I Saw Trump's Brazen Cash for Pardons Scam: Lawyer
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Sep 28, 2025 
Liz Oyer, a former U.S. Pardon Attorney, exposes the transformation of the Justice Department's pardon process under Donald Trump into a pay-for-play scheme. She reveals shocking details about million-dollar price tags for pardons, including ones for January 6 rioters. Oyer contrasts Trump's blanket pardons with Biden’s more selective approach and discusses the harm to victims left behind. Additionally, she highlights the erosion of ethics within the DOJ and the dangerous implications for national security.
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Pardons Undermine Victim Restitution
- Oyer tallied pardons tied to financial fraud and found over $1.3 billion in aggregate losses to victims and taxpayers.
- Pardons often relieve offenders of restitution obligations, undermining statutory victim compensation.
Big Donor, Big Pardon
- Trevor Milton donated about $1.8 million to Trump and soon received a full pardon for massive investor fraud.
- The pardon wiped out obligations exceeding $600 million, leaving investors with civil suits as likely recourse.
Victims Must Sue To Recover Losses
- Victims should pursue civil lawsuits to recover money because pardons erase criminal restitution obligations.
- Be prepared for costly, lengthy litigation since pardons remove automatic restitution mechanisms.