Overview

• Paul Walczak pleaded guilty to tax crimes in November 2024 and filed a pardon application citing his mother’s political work for Trump.
• Elizabeth Fago has raised millions for Trump campaigns, securing VIP access at Mar-a-Lago as well as inauguration events.
• The clemency was issued three weeks after Fago’s fundraiser, overriding a judge’s 18-month sentence and substantial restitution order.
• Walczak’s application contended that his prosecution was driven more by his mother’s fundraising than by his admitted misuse of employee tax funds.
• Fago’s involvement in publicizing Ashley Biden’s diary drew DOJ scrutiny, resulting in guilty pleas for her associates but no charges for her or her daughter.