Trump Administration Halted Investigation Into Clemency For Fraud Convict

Federal prosecutors were scrutinizing the circumstances of David Gentile’s sentence commutation, aided by a Catholic priest with ties to President Trump. Gentile, a private equity executive, was convicted in a $1.6 billion fraud scheme and released from prison shortly after beginning a seven-year sentence due to clemency granted by Trump.

President Trump’s political appointees stopped a preliminary criminal investigation into how Gentile received clemency. Five sources familiar with the events revealed this intervention. The inquiry, unreported until now, aimed to determine if improper payments influenced the commutation awarded to Gentile.

Gentile was released last November, less than two weeks into his prison term, and was spared from potentially forfeiting over $15.5 million to the government. Brooklyn federal prosecutors soon launched an investigation into the clemency process, focusing on evidence from jailhouse communications. Gentile discussed making payments exceeding $2.5 million to secure his release.

Investigators scrutinized the involvement of Rev. Frank Mann, a retired Catholic priest and friend of Trump. Despite Mann’s denial of involvement via email correspondence to The New York Times, sources suggest he communicated with Gentile regarding lobbying efforts directed at the president on Gentile’s behalf.

This investigation stopped following interventions linked to Trump’s political appointees. Details about Mann’s communication with Gentile and potential financial transactions remain crucial points of interest in understanding clemency awarded to Gentile.