House Committee Investigates Roger Clinton in Pardon Controversy


(CNSNews.com) - Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform sent a letter Thursday to Roger Clinton, former President Clinton's half brother, demanding information on his role in seeking pardons and prison commutations from the former president.

"During the Clinton Administration, have you worked on behalf of any individual who was seeking a pardon or commutation from President Clinton?" the letter said.

"Have you received any payments for working on behalf of any individual seeking a pardon or commutation from President Clinton?

"Have you had any contact with President Clinton or the White House in which you advocated or suggested a Presidential pardon or commutation?" Burton asked.

The letter even asks Clinton what role he played in the pardon or commutation of Phillip Young, convicted drug dealer Carlos Vignali, Almon Glenn Braswell, Joe McKernan and Mitchell Couey Wood.

Burton also asks Clinton to produce any records relating to any pardon or commutation requests he worked on, "including but not limited to financial records and billing records."

Last year, the FBI investigated allegations that Roger Clinton sought payments for arranging pardons. The probe was dropped, because since Roger Clinton is not a federal official, it was not a crime to seek money to deliver action by the government, according to Newsweek.

Roger Clinton was convicted of drug charges in 1985, and was reportedly on the former president's pardon list himself. The FBI was reportedly investigating him on allegations of influence peddling with the Clinton administration for asking for a $35,000 a month consulting contract with a private foundation in return for allegedly arranging for then-Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater to attend a conference on a new regional airport.

The investigation fell flat when businessman John Katopodis, head of the group that arranged the conference, refused to wear a wire in a meeting with Roger Clinton.
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