A nursing home operator pardoned by President Donald Trump has been released from an Arkansas prison following approval from the Arkansas Post Prison Transfer Board.
Joseph Schwartz was released Tuesday morning after being granted parole on state Medicaid fraud and tax evasion charges. Schwartz had returned to Arkansas in late December to serve the remainder of his state sentence under prior plea agreements.
Schwartz, a New York resident, had previously been serving a three-year federal sentence for tax fraud when he was pardoned by Trump in November. He pleaded guilty in federal court in 2024 for his role in a $38 million tax fraud scheme connected to nursing homes he owned nationwide.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office sought to have Schwartz complete his remaining state sentence. A spokesperson for the office said Schwartz followed proper parole procedures and remains responsible for restitution obligations tied to his plea agreements.
Officials confirmed Schwartz has paid approximately $400,000 toward restitution but still owes an estimated $1.4 million in remaining payments.
During his brief incarceration in Arkansas, Schwartz — who is also a rabbi — provided spiritual counseling to fellow inmates, according to his attorney.
Schwartz’s Skyline Healthcare chain once operated roughly 100 nursing homes across 11 states, including 21 facilities in Arkansas. Locations included Batesville, Hazen, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Little Rock and North Little Rock, Magnolia, Mountain View, Nashville, Newport, Rogers, Searcy, Stamps, West Memphis, White Hall, and Yellville.
