Convicted Frank founder Charlie Javice reportedly seeks Trump pardon

Charlie Javice, the convicted founder of the financial technology startup Frank, is quietly seeking a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Her camp has been courting individuals close to the Trump administration.

Javice's name has not yet appeared on the formal clemency request list at the Justice Department, which is growing rapidly. The administration is reportedly considering issuing roughly 250 pardons this summer to mark America's 250th birthday. A wave of clemency requests is pouring in from white-collar defendants, including Sam Bankman-Fried.

Javice was found guilty last September of fabricating millions of customer accounts to inflate her startup's value before selling it to JPMorgan for $175 million. She is now serving a sentence of more than seven years and is appealing, arguing the case against her was unfair.

The situation is likely unwelcome for JPMorgan, given its strained relationship with President Trump. In early 2021, the bank closed accounts tied to Trump and his businesses shortly after the January 6 Capitol riot. Trump has since called this political "debanking" and sued JPMorgan and CEO Jamie Dimon for $5 billion. The bank denies any political motive.

Javice also has powerful supporters, including Apollo's Marc Rowan, an early Frank investor who testified on her behalf at trial. Rowan has donated to Trump's campaigns and, since his reelection, has given millions more to Republican congressional groups.