Boosie Badazz Seeks $300K Refund After Trump Pardon Effort Falls Through

Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz is reportedly seeking to recover $300,000 from a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm after an effort to secure a presidential pardon from Donald Trump failed to materialize. According to a report from Notus, the Baton Rouge native, whose legal name is Torence Hatch, paid JM Burkman & Associates $600,000 in 2025 to pursue a pardon related to his 2023 federal conviction for possessing a loaded firearm at a music video shoot. Hatch is now pursuing the matter through arbitration.
Federal lobbying records show the firm registered to contact the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, and members of Congress on Hatch's behalf. However, Notus reports that while the lobbyists allegedly told Hatch's attorneys that Trump had signed the pardon and they were awaiting an official White House announcement, the clemency was never issued. The Trump White House reportedly told Hatch's legal team that it had not received a pardon request.
The dispute now centers on whether JM Burkman & Associates is contractually obligated to refund half of the $600,000 fee paid upfront. Lobbyists Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman reportedly dispute that any such agreement existed. The case highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding the so-called "clemency economy," in which lobbyists, attorneys, and political operatives have reportedly received substantial payments from individuals seeking presidential pardons.










