Clinton White House Officials Subpoenaed

ByABC News
March 13, 2001, 7:08 AM

March 13 -- Federal investigators have subpoenaed former White House officials, including former Chief of Staff John Podesta, and are asking for documents related to the controversial pardons made on Bill Clinton's final day in office, sources tell ABCNEWS.

Mary Jo White, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, has been been empowered to review all 177 pardons and commutations granted by Clinton. She will not have the title of special prosecutor, but as a U.S. attorney she is empowered to prosecute if she finds evidence of wrongdoing.

White began the investigation because her office initiated the original investigation into Marc Rich, the fugitive billionaire granted clemency in what is probably Clinton's most controversial pardon.

A Wide Scope

The House Government Committee, chaired by Indiana Republican Dan Burton, was seeking documents in the case, but White House officials said everything had already been sent to the federal Archives. It is possible that White may have to find documents she needs from other sources.

In addition to the Rich pardon, Whites office is reviewing the case of four Hasidic Jews convicted of fraud who were granted commutations, and allegations that the former president's half brother, Roger Clinton, sought $200,000 for promising a Texas man he would help him win a pardon.

White will also look into the pardon granted convicted drug dealer Carlos Vignali, whose father, Horacio Vignali, is a Democratic contributor. The elder Vignali paid $200,000 to Hugh Rodham, the then-presidents brother-in-law, to lobby on his behalf.

Hugh Rodham was paid another $200,000 for his successful efforts to win a pardon for Almon Glenn Braswell, a businessman under investigation for possible money laundering.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., later demanded that her brother return the money and says he has returned most of it.

Paying for Pardons?

Congressional investigators wanted to determine whether Rich might have, in effect, bought his pardon. His ex-wife, Denise Rich, has donated more than $1.5 million to the Democratic Party, to President Clintons campaigns and to Hillary Clintons Senate campaign. She also has given $450,000 to the $200 million Clinton library.