Trump pardons Mar-a-Lago fundraiser host and Abramoff associate
Trump pardoned Adam Kidan, a Mar-a-Lago member and former partner of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, convicted of fraud in a casino-boat fleet purchase.
What happened
Kidan was ordered to pay $21.7 million plus interest in restitution and had served less than half his sentence. He contributed more than $1.1 million to Trump's campaign and, months before his pardon, helped host a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser.
Why it matters
A convicted fraudster and major Trump donor who hosted fundraisers at Trump's own club received a pardon wiping out his restitution obligation, a direct pay-to-play pattern between club access, campaign money and clemency.