Marc Rich Pardon to Be Probed

Jan. 31 -- Former President Clinton's pardon of fugitivemillionaire Marc Rich will be the subject of twocongressional hearings next week.

The House Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing next week to discuss what has been considered one of the most controversial presidential pardons in American history. And theSenate Judiciary Committee will also hold a hearing, said aspokesman for Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., a senior member of thepanel.

Rich, a Democratic fund raiser and one of the world's richest men, is free from prosecution as aresult of the pardon on more than 50 counts of wire fraud,racketeering, massive income tax evasion and trading oil withIran during a U.S. trade embargo.

A Senate hearing could be potentially embarrassing to freshman New York Sen. HillaryRodham Clinton, who is among the Democrats who havereceived campaign contributions from Rich's ex-wife, Denise. DeniseRich has also been invited to testify.

Clinton, who also pardoned Susan MacDougal, despite her questionable role in the Whitewater scandal, is being criticized for the Rich pardon mainly because of the monetary connection. Rich's ex-wife contributed more than $1 million to Democratic causes — including Mrs. Clinton's campaign for the Senate— and bought the first family an expensive table and chair set in the final days of their administration.

"A presidential pardon cannot be revoked," said House Government Reform committee chairman Dan Burton, R-Ind. "When a pardon appears questionable on the merits, the American people have a right to know why the president made his decision so that the constitutional power to grant pardons will not be abused in the future."

Rich lived in exile for 17 years in Switzerland to avoid prosecution.

"Not a single person involved in the case in law enforcement were in favor of this pardon," said Mark Corallo, spokesman for the House Government Reform Committee. "We can't override the pardon, but we do think that the American people deserve an explanation."