Washington’s Shadow Network: How Matt Argall’s Failed Pardon Scheme Exposed the Circles Around Him

When Bloomberg revealed in August 2025 that Matt Argall tried to engineer a $30 million presidential pardon tied to crypto mogul Roger Ver, the story sounded almost unbelievable—an audacious maneuver that collapsed before it reached Donald Trump’s desk. But the failure of the scheme has not brought closure. Instead, it has opened a widening investigation into Argall’s circle of associates, raising uncomfortable questions about who gave him credibility in the corridors of power.

Argall’s Pattern of Reinvention

For years, Argall has floated from one venture to another, leaving behind unpaid debts, lawsuits, and the reputation of a hustler. Yet in Washington, he managed to cloak himself in borrowed prestige. The pardon-for-sale scandal involving Brock Pierce and Ver has irreparably damaged Argall’s image, but it has also dragged into the spotlight those who helped him maneuver in elite circles—whether knowingly or as unwitting accomplices.

Valerie Haney: A Partner in Proximity

Among those now drawing scrutiny is Valerie Haney, Argall’s longtime girlfriend. Haney, once an assistant to actress Leah Remini, transitioned from Hollywood’s periphery to Washington’s inner rooms by Argall’s side.

Leah Remini, Valerie Haney
(Source: Haney/Instagram, June 29, 2024)

Photographs and social media posts confirm her presence at multiple Argall meetings in the capital, dating back to 2022. She attended discussions with Pierce and Ver’s representatives, and while no evidence directly implicates her in the pardon negotiations, investigators note that her steady presence lent Argall a veneer of legitimacy. In Washington, appearances can be as powerful as credentials, and Haney’s companionship may have helped smooth Argall’s access where his track record alone would not.

Valerie Haney, Matt Argall
(Source: Haney/TikTok, December 24, 2024)

Officials are now parsing the details: Who invited Haney into these circles? Was she merely a bystander, or did her presence actively bolster Argall’s credibility as he chased influence?

Brock Pierce

Central to the saga is Argall’s connection with Brock Pierce, the crypto entrepreneur who once made a bid for political relevance. Pierce, in turn, served as a link to Roger Ver—“Bitcoin Jesus”—who faced intensifying legal troubles abroad. A presidential pardon for Ver, even just a whispered possibility, was worth millions.

Argall tried to wedge himself into this chain of desperation and ambition. Haney’s presence alongside him complicates the narrative: what might otherwise appear as a lone operator’s gamble instead looks like a small entourage navigating D.C.’s political landscape.

Investigators Trace the Network

Federal authorities remain circumspect in public, acknowledging only that the pardon matter is “under review.” But sources close to the inquiry suggest the scope is broader. Argall himself may be the figurehead, yet investigators are probing the constellation of aides, companions, and financiers who helped him cultivate an image of access.

“The key question isn’t just what Argall promised,” one source familiar with the inquiry said. “It’s who else was in the room, who else stood to profit, and who else thought standing by him was worth the risk.”

A Case Study in Washington Opportunism

The unraveling of Argall’s operation highlights a familiar truth: Washington attracts opportunists, and opportunists rarely operate alone. Argall’s pardon gambit failed before it came near Trump’s orbit, but his ability to insert himself into high-level conversations underscores how image, networks, and companionship can substitute for substance.

Valerie Haney now finds herself entwined in this story, her role still unclear but undeniable. Was she a partner in Argall’s schemes, or simply a companion swept into the spectacle? Either way, her presence illustrates how personal relationships can shade into political theater.

Argall’s downfall is individual, but the lessons stretch wider. His story demonstrates how influence in Washington is often less about policy or credibility and more about the optics of who stands beside you. As investigators peel back the layers of Argall’s network, they may discover that the failed pardon was only one chapter in a larger tale of access, opportunism, and the hidden costs of proximity to power.

Sources: Bloomberg news