By Steve Neavling
Liz Oyer, the Justice Department’s former pardon attorney, claims President Donald Trump’s recent wave of pardons has cost Americans $1 billion in unpaid restitution.
Oyer, who was fired in March, said many of those pardoned were convicted of fraud and had not yet paid back victims, The Washington Post reports.
Oyer’s estimate is based on how much money recipients of Trump’s pardons were accused or convicted of stealing, even if a judge had not formally ordered restitution. In some cases, those pardoned had not yet been sentenced.
The largest amount came from Trevor Milton, the electric-truck company founder convicted of defrauding investors. Prosecutors said he owed more than $680 million. Trump also wiped out a $100 million fine against BitMEX, a cryptocurrency exchange, and pardoned four of its executives.
Oyer also pointed to Michele Fiore, a Nevada politician convicted of stealing $70,000 meant for families of slain police officers. Trump pardoned her before sentencing. The White House defended her pardon, claiming — without evidence — that she was politically targeted.
Oyer told The Washington Post that Trump’s pardons reflect a break from traditional DOJ standards, which typically require that recipients finish their sentences before being considered for clemency. She said many of Trump’s choices were political allies or donors.
“It’s unprecedented for a president to grant pardons that wipe out so much debt owed by people who have committed frauds,” Oyer said.
She believes her refusal to support restoring gun rights to actor Mel Gibson, a Trump supporter, contributed to her firing. The DOJ denies that claim.
