JW Calls on Justice Department to Investigate Hillary Clinton’s Brother
Oct 11, 2006 Contact: Press Office
202-646-5188
Rodham Allegedly Received Fraudulent Loan as Payment for Securing Pardon
(Washington, DC) -- Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it filed a formal request with the U.S. Department of Justice, calling for a criminal investigation into the reported activities of Hillary Clinton and her brother, Anthony D. Rodham, former President Clinton, and Vonna Jo Gregory, former owner of the carnival company United Shows International. Recently released court documents provided new details concerning a scheme involving Anthony Rodham, who allegedly received $107,000 in fraudulent loans from United Shows International as compensation for securing a presidential pardon for Gregory in 2000 from then-President Clinton. The October 6, 2006 letter also seeks an investigation into President and Senator Clinton over any involvement they had in the alleged scheme.
“There is now sufficient reason…for the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into Mr. Rodham’s unlawful pardon brokerage activities,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton wrote in a letter to Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher. “It is…apparent that the reason for the payment of ‘loans’ to Mr. Rodham by United Shows and Edgar and Vonna Jo Gregory was a quid pro quo to influence President Clinton to issue the pardons.”
In March 2000, former President Clinton pardoned Vonna Jo Gregory, and her husband, Edgar Gregory, Jr., for a 1982 band fraud conviction. After the pardon was issued, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s brother, Anthony Rodham, received $107,000 in “loans” from the Gregory’s carnival company, United Shows International. The company ultimately filed for bankruptcy and Rodham never paid back the loans. Michael Collins, a court-appointed trustee handling the company’s finances, is seeking repayment. In June 2006, Collins won a default judgment in bankruptcy court against Rodham. In July, Anthony Rodham was barred from accessing the $142,000 he had in his bank account. The Justice Department previously initiated a failed investigation of the Clinton pardons, but these new court documents, Judicial Watch argues, warrant renewed investigation.
“In light of this new information on Hillary’s brother, the Justice Department needs to finally get serious about this scandal,” said Judicial Watch President, Tom Fitton. “No one should get away with selling pardons.”
On the last day of his presidency in 2000, Bill Clinton granted 140 pardons and commuted 36 sentences. Many of the pardoned parties were convicted felons who allegedly paid large fees to Clinton family members and associates. Judicial Watch launched an investigation of the controversial Clinton pardons in January 2001. Senator Clinton’s other brother, Hugh Rodham, has also been suspected of receiving illicit funds in return for pardons from former President Clinton. Hugh received $400,000 in payments from two convicted felons who received pardons.
To read Judicial Watch’s request for criminal investigation, visit www.judicialwatch.org
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Click here(http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2006/Rodham.Investigation.pdf) to view JW's letter to the Department of Justice
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