Startup CEO Charlie Javice is reportedly angling for a Trump pardon

Charlie Javice, founder of the defunct fintech startup Frank, is reportedly seeking a pardon from former President Donald Trump. Javice was convicted in February 2024 on charges of fraud related to her company's valuation and customer numbers. JPMorgan Chase acquired Frank in 2021 for $175 million, a deal that soured when the bank discovered discrepancies in Frank's reported user data. Javice was found guilty by a federal jury in New York on multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Prosecutors argued that Javice inflated Frank's customer base from approximately 300,000 to over 4 million to secure the acquisition by JPMorgan. The sentencing for Javice is scheduled for June 2024, with potential penalties including decades in prison and substantial fines. The pursuit of a presidential pardon, if successful, would nullify her conviction and sentence.