Lobbyist Charged with Extortion, Threatening Ex-Client

0:00I'm Cory, and this is your Pulse of the City, Durham News Today. Federal prosecutors in New York have charged a 34-year-old lobbyist from Charleston, South Carolina, with attempted extortion. Joshua Nas faces up to 20 years in prison for allegedly trying to force a former client and the client's son to pay him $500,000. He was arrested and the charge was unsealed recently. Nas had worked for a former nursing home operator who received a pardon from President Donald Trump. Starting this past January, prosecutors say Nas hired someone to pressure the father and son into making the payment he claimed was owed for his services. The pair are identified in court papers only as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 to protect their identities. This case highlights the risks when business disputes turn into threats. Nas appeared before a judge in Brooklyn on Saturday and was released on a $5 million bond. Officials describe his actions as hiring an enforcer instead of pursuing payment legally.

1:00The investigation continues with Nas presumed innocent until proven guilty. More details may emerge as the case moves forward in federal court. We'd like to thank our sponsor for making this episode possible. Your favorite podcasts, music or sleep sounds coming from your pillow, no earbuds, no distractions, just listen and relax. S-O-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com