Rapper Boosie Badazz Seeks $300,000 Refund from Lobbyists After No Trump Pardon Is Granted

The Guardian reported that Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz, whose legal name is Torence Hatch, paid JM Burkman & Associates $600,000 in 2025 to seek a pardon from President Trump. Hatch had pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded pistol as a felon during a 2023 music video shoot in San Diego and faced a prior 2011 drug-trafficking conviction.

Under the plea agreement, Hatch received three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and a $50,000 fine.

The pardon effort aimed to remove the gun conviction from his record and avoid serving that sentence. Federal lobbying records show the firm registered to contact the White House, the U.S. Justice Department, and Congress on the matter.

The Guardian reported that the lobbyists told Hatch's attorneys Trump had signed the pardon and that they awaited a White House announcement. The Trump White House separately told Hatch's attorney that it had received no such request. Hatch is now seeking to recover $300,000 through arbitration.

The dispute centers on whether the firm agreed to return half the upfront fee if no pardon materialized. The firm disputes any such obligation and told Hatch's side it was effectively bankrupt. Hatch stated that the lobbyists were initially aggressive and spoke as if they had direct access to Trump.

Jack Burkman said the firm ran a massive advocacy campaign across Congress, the executive branch, and political influencers. The efforts included lobbying Trump ally Laura Loomer to ask Natalie Harp to deliver the application to the president. Burkman added that the firm still believes Hatch deserves a pardon.

In 2022, Burkman and Jacob Wohl pleaded guilty in Ohio to an illegal robocall campaign targeting Black voters. They later paid $1.25 million to New York authorities and $5 million to the FCC to settle related cases. Hatch is from Baton Rouge.