Richard Brasser did what the IRS asks taxpayers to do. He self-reported, fully cooperated, paid everything owed, and was cleared. Years later the DOJ prosecuted him anyway.
This threatens the Voluntary Disclosure Program and the rights of all taxpayers.
Dear President Trump,
We, the undersigned, come together from every corner of America, Republicans, Democrats and Independents, in heartfelt unity to express our deep concern over the prosecution and impending imprisonment of Richard Brasser. We respectfully request a full pardon for this devoted father of four, award-winning entrepreneur, and honorable man whose only “mistake” was believing that doing the right thing would be rewarded, not punished.
Mr. President, upon learning the particulars of Richard’s case, we are confident you will share our profound shock and burning urgency to make this right.
Richard Brasser embodies the American Dream: a former touring golf professional, commercial pilot, Harvard Business School student, Boston Consulting Group partner, and AI tech visionary, always a decade ahead, named Charlotte's Entrepreneur of the Year for good reason. In 2016,this honest man proactively stepped forward, fully complied with the IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program long before any investigation, and personally resolved a payroll issue caused by an employee. The matter was closed civilly (no criminal referral from the IRS). Yet years later, the Department of Justice indicted him, turning a program meant to reward honesty into an instrument of ruthless betrayal.
And here is the most disturbing truth: the same parties who later weaponized the Department of Justice, escalating private vengeance into federal persecution are the same individuals who orchestrated a corporate sabotage against Richard’s small tech company.
Despite personal tragedies, Richard refused to abandon his company, his employees, his investors, or his responsibilities, even as he learned certain individuals were actively undermining deals, spreading vicious lies, and, as admitted under oath, stalking his wife and children. When he courageously stood his ground and pursued legal action against them, those same parties conspired to fabricate a narrative and, with the secretive assistance of an insider contact at Charlotte’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, delivered false information directly to the DOJ. Absent this extraordinary personal favor, the case would never have reached federal prosecutors.
Mr. President, we are astounded that the immense power of the federal government could be lent to private vengeance - and we urgently call upon you, to investigate these origins thoroughly and grant Richard Brasser the full pardon he has earned. Such bold action would rank among the crowning triumphs of your presidency: championing the innovators who drive our economy, exposing corruption and insider favoritism, ending any notion of IRS entrapment of honest citizens, and restoring the sacred American faith that truth, hard work, and family will be rewarded — not crushed.
A 61-page report submitted to Congress on November 10, 2025, by independent investigators details the challenges in the case, selective enforcement, omitted hardships, overpayments ignored, and anomalies suggesting favoritism or obstruction.
This pardon of Richard Brasser is a powerful message that under your leadership, the American Dream is fiercely protected.
With hope and solidarity for justice and the American Dream,
Fellow Americans for Justice