Judges seeking appointments to the federal bench, wealthy Republicans hoping for ambassadorships and criminals who wanted pardons were among the big spenders at Donald Trump’s Washington, D.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON – A California psychologist convicted of tax evasion was at the center of a mysterious, recently disclosed Justice Department investigation into whether White House officials were illegally lobbied to obtain a presidential pardon. One of the lawyers, Reid Weingarten, confirmed that the pardon was sought on behalf of Baras. That was also confirmed by another person familiar with the investigation, who insisted on anonymity to discuss a Justice Department investigation. Broidy was asked by Mr. Diller to refer him to a DC lawyer who could assist on a clemency petition," Burck, said in a statement. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on Friday.

WASHINGTON – Elliott Broidy, a prominent fundraiser for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, has been charged in an illicit lobbying campaign aimed at getting the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multibillion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund. The allegations are contained in a charging document known as an information, which typically signals a defendant's intent to plead guilty. Broidy's work also included a separate unsuccessful lobbying effort — trying to arrange for the removal of a Chinese dissident who was living in the U.S. on a temporary visa. The dissident is not referred to by name by prosecutors, but it matches the description of Guo Wengui. Chinese authorities have accused Guo of rape, kidnapping, bribery and other offenses and have sought the return of the self-exiled tycoon.