A pardon lobbyist, $500,000 demand and alleged 'enforcer' lead to extortion charge in New York

Federal prosecutors in New York have accused a lobbyist of trying to extort a former client and the client’s son for $500,000. The government says on Friday that Joshua Nass was arrested and an attempted extortion charge unsealed. Prosecutors allege Nass recruited a confidential witness to pressure the son into paying the money. The names of the father and son haven't been released. Congressional disclosure forms show that Nass worked on behalf of an ex-nursing home operator pardoned recently by President Donald Trump. The U.S. Attorney's Office had no comment about whether that work was connected. Nass' attorney didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.