Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
White House: Bush "Followed the Process" in Brooklyn Developer's One-Day Pardon
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 26, 2008
Modified Dec 26, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 26, 2008
Modified Dec 26, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Some more spinning from the White House after President Bush pardoned a Brooklyn developer—and then rescinded the pardon the next day. White House spokesman Tony Fratto told Newsday that the President "followed the process" when he first granted the parson to Isaac Toussie but decided to reverse the decision after finding out Toussie's father made contributions to the Republican party and politicians, "It [the contributions] had the potential to create at least the appearance of impropriety."
Still, the Daily News is confused about the White House's actions: "The mystery is how the administration ignored Toussie and his father's background - a tale of payoff and corruption allegations spanning more than 45 years - in pardoning the son for a massive housing scam." The News notes that the big lawsuits against father Robert and son Isaac "involve charges of inflated prices and misleading advertising for some of the Long Island developments and others on Staten Island." There's another News article about the homebuyers who are suing the Toussies: "Homeowner Ronald Gibson was told he would 'have his arms cut off' if he didn't quit complaining about deadly carbon monoxide flowing into the house through a faulty heating system."
The NY Times reports that Toussie's lawyers hope that when his pardon application is reviewed by the Justice Department (the lawyers bypassed the DOJ and went straight to the White House, apparently a more common route these days), he will be granted a pardon. But Rep. Peter King (R-Long Island) told Newsday, "What [Toussie] had done was pretty unforgivable."
Tagged
brooklyn
Isaac Toussie
pardon
president bush
scam
White House
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Ballot problems in Westchester: Lawler v. Conley race results could be delayed
Westchester is a crucial battleground for control of the House.
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Nov 3, 2026 at 9:28 a.m. ET
How to spend $20M in East Williamsburg? A discussion begins.
Needs abound in the Brooklyn neighborhood, an epicenter of community change.
By
Willow Higgins
News
How to spend $20M in East Williamsburg? A discussion begins.
Needs abound in the Brooklyn neighborhood, an epicenter of community change.
By
Willow Higgins
2026 Midterm Election Day is here: What to know in NY and NJ
By
Verónica Del Valle
,
Brittany Kriegstein
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Mike Hayes
NYC early voting dips compared to 2025, but spikes in majority-Black districts
By
Brigid Bergin
and
Joe Hong
NYPD officers shoot man after exchange of gunfire outside Bronx deli, police say
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .