On his last day in office, January 20, 2001, President Bill Clinton issued 140 pardons and 36 commutations. The decision to grant pardons and commutations was one of the most controversial acts of his presidency. The pardons were given to individuals who had committed various crimes, including drug trafficking, tax evasion, and fraud. Critics claimed that the pardons were politically motivated and that they were influenced by donations made to the Clinton Foundation or by personal connections to the president.
The Controversy
The controversy surrounding the pardons began shortly after they were granted. Some of the most controversial pardons were those given to Marc Rich and his business partner Pincus Green. Rich was a billionaire fugitive who had been indicted on charges of tax evasion and illegal trading with Iran. Green had also been indicted on charges of fraud and tax evasion.
Rich and Green had both fled the United States and were living in Switzerland at the time of the pardon. Critics claimed that the pardons were granted in exchange for donations to the Clinton Foundation or for political favors.
The Process
The process for granting pardons and commutations is long and complicated. It involves a review by the Department of Justice and a recommendation to the president. The president has the final say in whether or not to grant a pardon or commutation. In the case of President Clinton, he granted many of the pardons on his last day in office, which raised suspicions about the motives behind the decisions.
The List
The pardons and commutations were granted to a wide range of individuals, including politicians, businessmen, and drug dealers. Some of the most notable names on the list include:
- Almon Glenn Braswell – a businessman who was convicted of mail fraud and money laundering
- Carlos Vignali – a drug dealer who was convicted of trafficking cocaine
- Marc Rich – a billionaire fugitive who was indicted on charges of tax evasion and trading with Iran
- Susan McDougal – a business partner of Bill Clinton who was convicted of fraud and obstruction of justice
The Aftermath
The controversy over the pardons did not end when President Clinton left office. Critics continued to question the motives behind the decisions and the process by which the pardons were granted. Some argued that the pardons were a way for President Clinton to reward his friends and supporters.
Others argued that the pardons were a way to distract from the controversy surrounding President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. Whatever the motives behind the pardons, they remain one of the most controversial acts of President Clinton's presidency.
Conclusion
The Bill Clinton pardon list remains a controversial topic today. Critics continue to question the motives behind the decisions and the process by which the pardons were granted. Regardless of the controversy, the pardons and commutations remain a part of President Clinton's legacy.