Clinton Explains Reasons for Rich Pardon
Feb. 17 -- Bill Clinton says he believes he acted "in the best interests of justice" when he pardoned the fugitive financier Marc Rich, and the move had nothing to do with political donations by Rich's ex-wife.
"Ordinarily, I would have denied pardons in this case simply because [Rich and an associate] did not return to the United States to face the charges against them," Clinton writes in a letter published in Sunday's New York Times and the paper's online edition. "However, I decided to grant the pardons in this unusual case."
Eight Reasons Include Pressure From Israelis
Addressing the controversy in detail for the first time, Clinton lists eight specific reasons for his pardon — ranging from the legal to the political.
"I am accustomed to the rough and tumble of politics, but the accusations made against me in this case have been particularly painful because for eight years I worked hard to make good decisions for the American people," Clinton writes. "I want every American to know that, while you may disagree with this decision, I made it on the merits as I saw them, and I take full responsibility for it."
Among the eight reasons, Clinton says he acted because of pressure from "present and former high-ranking Israeli officials of both major political parties and leaders of Jewish communities in America and Europe," who urged the pardon because of Rich's participation in charitable and civic causes.
Clinton says he believed subsequent investigations suggested Rich and another pardon subject, Pincus Green, may have been prosecuted improperly, and that their companies had paid millions of dollars in compensation to the government. He adds that his opinion was strengthened when three Republican attorneys he consulted also favored the pardons.
Possibility of Civil Charges
As a precaution, Clinton says he ensured that civil charges still could be pursued against Rich and Green, if necessary.
"I knew the men's companies had settled their disputes with the government, but I did not know what personal liability the individuals might still have for Energy Department or other violations," Clinton writes. "Therefore, I required them to waive any and all defenses, including their statute of limitations defenses, to any civil charge the government might bring against them.
Popular Reads
ABC News Live