A nursing home operator pardoned by President Donald Trump has been released from an Arkansas prison after being granted parole by the Arkansas Post Prison Transfer Board.
Joseph Schwartz was released Tuesday morning after the board approved his parole on state charges of Medicaid fraud and tax evasion. Schwartz had returned to Arkansas in late December to serve the remainder of his state sentence under prior plea agreements.
Schwartz, a New York resident, had previously been serving a three-year federal prison sentence for tax fraud when he was pardoned by Trump in November. In 2024, he pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a $38 million tax fraud scheme tied to nursing homes he owned across the country.
Following his presidential pardon, the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office moved to have Schwartz complete his remaining state sentence. A spokesperson for Attorney General Tim Griffin said Schwartz followed proper parole procedures and remains responsible for all restitution obligations connected to his plea agreements.
Officials confirmed Schwartz has paid about $400,000 toward restitution but still owes an estimated $1.4 million.
During his brief incarceration in Arkansas, Schwartz — who is also a rabbi — provided spiritual counseling to fellow inmates, according to his attorney.
Schwartz was the owner of the Skyline Healthcare chain, which at its peak operated about 100 nursing homes in 11 states. The company once ran 21 facilities in Arkansas, including locations in Batesville, Hazen, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Magnolia, Mountain View, Nashville, Newport, Rogers, Searcy, Stamps, West Memphis, Yellville — and White Hall.
The future status of any former Skyline Healthcare facilities in Arkansas was not addressed in parole proceedings. Schwartz’s parole conditions and restitution payments will continue to be monitored by state authorities.
