News · Press Release

🚨REPORT: Convicted Fraudster Donated to Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, Received a Presidential Pardon 3 Days Later

Follow the money: Mackenzie campaigned with Trump on June 23rd… cashed a campaign check on June 30… fraudster was pardoned on July 3rd

Congressman Ryan Mackenzie has been caught in a corruption scandal. 

New reporting from NOTUS details how the President pardoned a convicted fraudster “three days after the man — a key figure in the Jack Abramoff fraud and lobbying scandal — made a political donation to Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.” NOTUS also notes that “Trump traveled to Mackenzie’s eastern Pennsylvania district on June 23 to campaign with him. The president pardoned Kidan on July 3.” 

The report comes after The Morning Call first reported that Mackenzie cashed a campaign check from the convicted fraudster.

DCCC Spokesperson Eli Cousin:
“Cash in, favors out. That’s the way career politician Ryan Mackenzie has operated his entire time in office. He is part of the culture of corruption in Washington that benefits the wealthy and the well-connected while hardworking Pennsylvanians pay the price. Voters will hold him accountable at the ballot box in November.”

Read key excerpts from the reporting for yourself:

  • President Donald Trump recently pardoned a major Republican donor three days after the man — a key figure in the Jack Abramoff fraud and lobbying scandal — made a political donation to Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pennsylvania), who’s facing one of the nation’s most contested House races.
  • The megadonor, Adam Kidan, donated $2,600 to Mackenzie’s leadership PAC on June 30, according to Federal Election Commission records. Trump traveled to Mackenzie’s eastern Pennsylvania district on June 23 to campaign with him. The president pardoned Kidan on July 3.
  • Kidan did not respond to NOTUS’ requests for comment. […] The White House did not respond to questions about Mackenzie and Kidan.
  • Mackenzie faces Democratic challenger Bob Brooks to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District in what the Cook Political Report ranks as a “toss-up” race.
  • In an email to NOTUS, Brooks campaign manager Jenna Kaufman said: “Three days after a convicted fraudster cut Ryan Mackenzie a massive campaign check, that same fraudster walked away with a presidential pardon. That is corruption in plain sight.”
  • Kidan, who served about two-and-a-half years in prison in 2006 after pleading guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud, has donated millions to Republican causes over the years.
  • He has also contributed to a number of Republican campaigns throughout the 2026 midterms, including donations in 2025 to three swing-district House members from Pennsylvania: Rob Bresnahan, Brian Fitzpatrick and Scott Perry. He has also supported Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s bid for governor in the state.
  • Kidan’s donation to Mackenzie’s leadership PAC is his most recent federal political contribution on record, FEC records indicate.

 

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