Con Artist Who Received Trump's Pardon Accused of Running Another Ponzi Scheme

Eli Weinstein, a man from New Jersey, who had his prison sentence commuted by former President Donald Trump for running a Ponzi scheme, has been charged again with orchestrating a similar fraudulent scheme. Weinstein, along with four accomplices, is accused of defrauding 150 victims out of more than $35 million. Eli Weinstein has previously faced charges of defrauding investors, pleading guilty to 45 counts of fraud and conspiracy in 2013 for stealing over $200 million and pleading guilty to wire fraud in 2015 during his Ponzi scheme trial. Trump commuted Weinstein's prison sentence on his final day in office in 2021, following a lobbying effort involving allies close to the former president, with the White House portraying him as a family man with strong community and faith support. The recent charges against Weinstein allege that he and his accomplices created fake investment funds, promising investors their money would be used for lucrative deals involving COVID-19 masks, scarce baby formula, and first-aid kits bound for Ukraine.