Baton Rouge-born rapper Boosie Badazz (Torrence Hatch), who maintains strong ties to Atlanta and the Southern hip-hop scene, is embroiled in a high-profile dispute over a $600,000 payment he made to secure a presidential pardon.
The Louisiana rapper claims political operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman of JM Burkman & Associates took his money, made false promises about influence with President Donald Trump, and effectively stole the funds after failing to deliver on a clemency deal.
The story has unfolded amid Boosie’s ongoing legal troubles and a broader “clemency economy” surrounding Trump’s second term.
Boosie’s Federal Gun Conviction
Boosie’s push for a pardon stems from a 2023 federal case. He was arrested in San Diego while filming a music video and charged as a felon in possession of a firearm (a loaded Glock 19 pistol). After initial state charges and legal wrangling, he pleaded guilty to the federal count. In January 2026, a federal judge sentenced him to time served (with credit for approximately 10 days), three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and a $50,000 fine.40
Federal prosecutors later sought to revoke his supervised release following an alleged incident in Texas. Boosie has long sought clemency to clear his record and avoid further restrictions.
The $600,000 Pardon Deal
In September 2024, Boosie signed a contract with JM Burkman & Associates after being pitched aggressively by Wohl and Burkman. The operatives, known as far-right political figures with controversial histories (including robocall-related convictions and fines), promised significant pull within Trump’s orbit. Boosie later described them as “real aggressive, they were talking like they had Trump on speed dial.”29
He paid the full $600,000 upfront. The contract reportedly included a clause allowing for a $300,000 partial refund if no presidential pardon was secured by a specified deadline (around late January 2025/2026, with the document containing apparent typos).1
Claims of a Signed Pardon and Subsequent Fallout
According to reports, the lobbyists provided regular updates claiming progress: the application was under review, endorsed by various MAGA figures and lawmakers, and even referenced a successful prior pardon they claimed involvement in (that of Joseph Schwartz). On New Year’s Eve 2024, Burkman texted that Trump had the pardon “in hand and is ready to sign.” On New Year’s Day 2025, Boosie’s lawyer received a call stating that Trump had signed the pardon and it simply awaited announcement.11
The pardon never materialized. A White House official later confirmed that the clemency team had never heard from Wohl or Burkman, stated they had no role in any pardons, and warned that their involvement could actively harm an applicant’s chances.29
By March 2025, Boosie terminated the relationship and demanded the $300,000 refund per the contract terms. The firm reportedly resisted, citing costs, claiming the firm was “essentially bankrupt” due to millions in prior fines, and disputing that the refund clause was ever fully agreed upon. They maintained they performed extensive work on Boosie’s behalf.
Boosie’s Accusations: ‘The Money Was Stolen’
Boosie has publicly accused the operatives of lying and scamming him, particularly over the New Year’s Day claim that the pardon was signed. In social media posts, he expressed frustration at being emotionally manipulated with false hope of freedom, only to be left without results or a refund. He has vowed to pursue the matter in federal court if arbitration fails, stating variations of being “played with” and demanding his money back after months of delay.
His lawyer has described the situation as people preying on hope in difficult legal circumstances. Boosie is currently pursuing arbitration through the American Arbitration Association to recover the $300,000 while also advancing a separate, direct pardon application to the White House through his own counsel.
The Lobbyists’ Response
Jack Burkman has pushed back, telling media outlets that Boosie “has no reason to be unhappy” and that the firm did more work for him than for nearly any other client. He disputed the refund provision’s validity and noted that a subsequent arrest in Texas complicated the pardon effort. The firm has portrayed itself as having worked diligently across Congress, influencers, and media.
Wohl and Burkman have a documented history of provocative political stunts and legal issues, which has fueled skepticism about their pardon-lobbying claims (they asserted involvement in nine pardons, though records show limited verifiable success).
Broader Context
This episode highlights the unregulated world of clemency lobbying in the current political climate, where individuals and firms charge substantial fees for access and influence with the White House on presidential pardons—a power that is nearly absolute. Boosie’s case is one of several involving high-profile clients and large payments.
As of mid-July 2026, the arbitration remains ongoing, Boosie continues his music career and public commentary, and no pardon has been granted in his federal gun case. He has expressed ongoing hope through legitimate channels while fighting to recover what he views as stolen funds from a broken promise.
The dispute underscores the high stakes—and high risks—of navigating the criminal justice system through expensive third-party advocates when freedom and reputation are on the line.
