-Caveat Lector- http://www.nydailynews.com/2001-05-24/News_and_Views/Beyond_the_C ity/a-112353.asp New York Daily News May 24, 2001 Pardon Probe Eyes Bribe Charges By GREG B. SMITH Daily News Staff Writer Prosecutors probing the presidential pardon of billionaire Marc Rich are trying to determine whether political contributions were used to bribe a public official - possibly former President Bill Clinton, the Daily News has learned. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White sent subpoenas to several witnesses this month, listing specific allegations on which her investigation is focused. The possible crimes include bribery of a public official, making of false statements to a federal official, obstruction of proceedings before a federal agency and conspiracy, subpoenas obtained by The News show. The subpoenas do not name any official who may have been the target of a bribe, but congressional investigators have made clear they suspected there was an attempt to use donations to Clinton's favorite causes to win approval for Rich's pardon. His ex-wife Denise Rich gave more than $1 million to Democratic campaigns, including the senatorial campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton, and $450,000 to the Clinton library, according to records. The subpoenas also indicate that White is investigating three possible violations of campaign finance law, including illegal donations by a foreign national. In 1983, Rich renounced his U.S. citizenship and fled to Switzerland just before he was charged with tax fraud and violations of the Trading with the Enemy Act by buying oil from the Iranians during the hostage crisis of the 1970s. Clinton pardoned Rich on his last day in office under circumstances that are the subject of federal and congressional probes. Denise Rich has been given limited immunity from prosecution by White's office and is cooperating in the probe, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Early this month, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Halpern sent subpoenas to several witnesses to appear before the grand jury investigating the Rich pardon, sources said. The subpoenas make clear that Halpern is focusing on several possible crimes. "It usually means they're looking very carefully at what charges they could bring," said one former prosecutor who agreed to talk on the condition of anonymity. "They're farther along in their thinking. They're willing and able to specify counts." A spokesman for White, Marvin Smilon, declined to comment on the Rich investigation. Denise Rich's lawyer, Martin Pollner, also refused to comment. A key charge is possible bribery of a public official, a charge could be applied to the giver or the recipient of a bribe. That indicates that prosecutors have explored the possibility that Denise Rich's contributions to the Democrats could be considered bribes, said a source familiar with the probe. The potential campaign finance violations indicate investigators are looking into whether Rich may have illegally reimbursed his ex-wife for her donations to the Democrats. Original Publication Date: 5/24/01 ======================================================= Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, YHVH, TZEVAOT FROM THE DESK OF: *Michael Spitzer* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Best Way To Destroy Enemies Is To Change Them To Friends ======================================================= <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
