Michael Milken, a symbol of 1980s greed who went to prison for securities fraud and conspiracy, was at home in Encino, California, on February 18 when he got a phone call from the White House. President Donald Trump was on the line with good news: Milken had been pardoned.

Milken hung up, got in his car and drove to the home of his 96-year-old mother, Ferne Milken, according to Geoffrey Moore, Milken's spokesman. When he shared the news, his mother burst into tears.