U.S. Attorney in N.Y. Says She's Investigating Marc Rich Pardon [Free Republic]

FreeRepublic.com "A Conservative News Forum"

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

U.S. Attorney in N.Y. Says She's Investigating Marc Rich Pardon: News/Current Events Front Page News
Source: Bloomberg
Published: Thursday, February 15, 2001 Author: By Elliot Pinsley
Posted on 02/15/2001 18:57:09 PST by JohnHuang2

New York, Feb 15 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, confirmed that her office is investigating former President Bill Clinton's last-minute pardon of commodities trader Marc Rich.
According to published reports, the probe will focus on whether Rich effectively bought his pardon by funneling money to his ex-wife, Denise, that ultimately went to the Democratic Party. Clinton and his wife, New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, also received political donations from Denise Rich.
A federal grand jury indicted Rich and his business partner, Pincus Green, in 1983 on charges they failed to pay $48 million in taxes and that they traded with Iran while Americans were being held hostage there. Denise Rich, who declined to testify before a Congressional committee investigating the pardon, contributed more than $1 million to the Democratic Party and $450,000 toward Clinton's presidential library.
``Various questions have been raised concerning the activities and pardons of Marc Rich and Pincus Green,'' White said in a statement released by her office. ``The United States Attorney's Office and the FBI New York office have opened an investigation to determine whether there have been any violations of federal law.''
White's statement said she would issue no further comment on the matter.
Clinton has denied any wrongdoing in relation to pardoning Rich, who fled the U.S. before facing trial. The former president said the pardon was ``the right thing to do.''
``Any suggestion that improper factors including fund-raising for the D.N.C. or my library had anything to do with the decision are absolutely false'' Clinton said.
Rich has been living in Switzerland since his indictment.
For Education And Discussion Only. Not For Commercial Use.

1 Posted on 02/15/2001 18:57:09 PST by JohnHuang2
[ Reply | Private Reply | Top | Last ]