On Monday, December 29th, New York-based Rabbi Joseph Schwartz reported to the Arkansas Department of Corrections to complete his prison sentence after being pardoned by President Trump on federal charges. The rabbi previously owned 10% of the nursing homes in Arkansas, including one in White Hall.
Schwartz had been convicted of tax evasion and Medicaid fraud. His crimes impacted not only the care of the nursing home residents but also the financial and mental well-being of his employees. It is alleged that at least one resident of a Tennessee nursing home died of gross neglect under Schwartz’s stewardship.
Rabbi Schwartz had previously been serving his one-year State of Arkansas sentence concurrently with a 36-month federal sentence in a federal prison in New Jersey. In November, after being incarcerated for only 3 months, he was pardoned by President Trump on the federal charges and released. It is alleged that Schwartz paid a substantial sum to right-wing lobbyists to secure the pardon. President Trump denies this.
After being released from federal prison, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin petitioned to have Schwartz report to the Arkansas Department of Corrections to complete his Arkansas sentence. While Schwartz initially fought the petition, stating he should be eligible for parole and that the Arkansas prison system could not accommodate his strict kosher diet, Judge Whatley of the Pulaski County Circuit Court ruled against him.
Schwartz ultimately reported to the Arkansas Department of Corrections late afternoon on Monday, December 29th for processing and to continue serving his sentence for the State of Arkansas conviction.
Edited on Tuesday, December 30th.
