Trump pardons Pat Nolan, former GOP lawmaker caught up in 'Shrimpscam' sting

President Trump on Wednesday pardoned Pat Nolan, a former Republican lawmaker from California who was convicted in the 1990s as part of an FBI sting operation dubbed "Shrimpscam."

Nolan was elected to the California State Assembly in 1978, and served as the GOP leader from 1984 to 1988. Shrimpscam targeted politicians who used their positions to solicit illegal campaign donations, and Nolan was caught on camera accepting checks from an undercover FBI agent, the Los Angeles Times reports. He pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering, and served time in prison.

In a statement, the White House said Nolan made the "difficult choice" to plead guilty. He could have defended himself and risked "decades in prison, or he could plead guilty and accept a 33-month sentence," the White House said. "Determined to help his wife raise their three young children, Mr. Nolan chose to accept the plea." After he got out of prison, Nolan began campaigning for criminal justice and sentencing reform.

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