Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz, legally known as Torence Hatch, is seeking to recover $300,000 from JM Burkman & Associates, a Washington DC lobbying firm, after they failed to secure a pardon from former US President Donald Trump. Boosie paid the firm $600,000 in 2025 to advance his bid for clemency related to his 2023 conviction for possessing a loaded weapon during a music video shoot in San Diego, where police observed him with a handgun in his waistband.

The lobbying firm told Boosie's attorneys that Trump had signed the pardon and they were awaiting an official White House announcement. However, the clemency was never publicly announced. Meanwhile, the Trump White House informed Boosie's attorney that it had not received any such pardon request.

Boosie is now pursuing arbitration to reclaim part of the payment. JM Burkman & Associates has stated that no partial refund was promised. The case highlights the complexities of the so-called "clemency economy," where millions have been paid to lobbyists and lawyers claiming access to presidential pardons.

Federal lobbying records confirm that the firm registered to contact the White House, the US Justice Department, and Congress in relation to the pardon effort. Burkman is also connected to a separate pardon-related case involving New York lawyer Joshua Nass, who was charged in March with attempting to extort money over a $500,000 debt.

Boosie is known for his contributions to southern hip-hop, including hits like "Wipe Me Down" and "Set It Off." This dispute marks a notable development in the aftermath of Trump's second presidency, during which he issued numerous pardons to individuals aligned with him.

Sources