FBI Tweets Old Files on Bill Clinton's Pardon of Controversial Jewish Philanthropist

Publication follows bureau chief's decision to investigate more emails in probe of Hillary Clinton's use of a private email system, a move that could damage her chances in next week's election.

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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton stands with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, after accepting the nomination on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 28, 2016.
Mike Segar, Reuters

In the latest FBI scandal surrounding the upcoming U.S. election, the bureau's archive decided to share with the public on Tuesday files relating to the conduct of former President Bill Clinton – and husband of current Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton – 15 years ago.

The files, relating to an investigation into Bill Clinton's pardon of controversial Jewish philanthropist Marc Rich – handled by none other than then-prosecutor, now FBI chief James Comey – are mostly redacted and don’t seem to shed any new light on misdemeanors on the former president's behalf.

The latest publication follows Comey's decision to investigate more emails as part of a probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email system, in a twist that could damage the Democratic candidate in the 2016 presidential race.

The files were posted on Monday onto the FBI's "vault," where the bureau releases information released in response to Freedom of Information Act requests. A subsequent FBI tweet on the matter was issued on Tuesday.

Brian Fallon, Hillary Clinton's press secretary, tweeted in response that "Absent a FOIA litigation deadline, this is odd," referring to the decision to come forward with the file without a requested deadline.

In the past days, the vault also tweeted about Fred Trump, the GOP presidential hopeful's father, and even about Clinton's time of secretary of state.

Until 2001, Rich was a relatively obscure businessman. He was also suspected of serious tax offenses in the U.S., which had banned him from entering the country. On the last day of his term, President Clinton granted him a pardon.

Rich was also pardoned in Israel, were he enjoyed ties with then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak and other senior figures, such as Ehud Olmert, Shimon Peres, Ron Huldai and Yaakov Neeman. He died in 2013.

Marc Rich
AP
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