James Callahan, the former head of the International Union of Operating Engineers, was pardoned by Donald Trump just before his scheduled sentencing for failing to report over $300,000 in gifts. Callahan had admitted to accepting event tickets and other perks from a firm contracted by the union, without disclosing them as required. Prosecutors had pushed for a six-month sentence, highlighting his high salary and the misuse of union resources. With the pardon, the court paused sentencing while awaiting a formal dismissal of the case. Callahan had already agreed to repay the union and step down from his leadership role.
See "Trump pardons a labor union leader on the eve of sentencing for failing to report gifts", Michael Kunzelman, ABC News, May 28, 2025