Hillary Clinton and the Power of Pardon

Senator Hillary Clinton of New York issued the following statement on President Bush's decision to commute the sentence of Scooter Libby:

"Today's decision is yet another example that this Administration simply considers itself above the law. This case arose from the Administration's politicization of national security intelligence and its efforts to punish those who spoke out against its policies. Four years into the Iraq war, Americans are still living with the consequences of this White House's efforts to quell dissent. This commutation sends the clear signal that in this Administration, cronyism and ideology trump competence and justice."

Pardon and Commutation are powers reserved to the President through our heritage of English common law. As a candidate for the Presidency, Hillary is seeking the power of pardon for herself. What is her record with regard to presidential pardons and cronyism?

The King had the power of life and death. The power to make law, and to commute or pardon crimes. So the framers of the Constitution gave such powers to our chief executive. While George Bush may enjoy the headlines today for the commutation (not pardon) of a portion of the sentence of Scooter Libby that he judged to be excessive, take a few minutes to refresh your memory of the felons and murderers that Bill Clinton pardoned.

Many of these miscreants were convicted of crimes that directly benefited Bill and Hillary Clinton. Take for example, Susan McDougal. She spent two years in jail for refusing to testify about the Whitewater Scandal to a special prosecutor. Her husband, Jim McDougal, died in prison, serving time for Whitewater bank fraud. Jim was shouting for the heart medication that could save his life when he died. The jail guards could not seem to hear his cries. Henry Cisneros, the Clinton Housing Secretary, was given a blanket pardon such that no specific mention is made of the specific crime. Was he pardoned for perjury? Tax evasion? Bribery? We will never know. Such a "get out of jail free" card is not given out in a Monopoly Board Game.

Others have a personal "good old boy" connection: Arthur David Borel and Douglas Borel, from Little Rock, Arkansas were guilty of odometer rollback The Borels are car dealers that the Clintons knew in Little Rock. They earned a little extra money by cheating consumers. It helps to have friends in high places.

Denise Rich is the socialite, beautiful wife that arranged for her husband, Marc Rich to contribute $400,000.00 on February 9^th 2001, to the Clinton Presidential Library. Marc Rich made hundreds of millions of dollars during the oil crisis by selling Iranian Oil, when such trade was outlawed over the Embassy Hostage taking in 1980.

The list of drug dealers, fraud artists, counterfeiters, and smugglers is punctuated by Samuel Morrison, who sold defense secrets. The final days of the Clinton presidency are rife with tales of influence peddling. Hillary's brother got caught conducting such business, but was never charged.

U.S. Department of Justice
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Washington, D.C. 20530
January 20, 2001

Pardon Grants January 2001
Name Home Town Offenses
ALLEN, Verla Jean Everton, Arkansas False statements to agency of United States

ALTIERE, Nicholas M. Las Vegas, Nevada Importation of cocaine

ALTSCHUL, Bernice Ruth Sherman Village, California Conspiracy to commit money laundering

ANDERSON, Joe, Jr. Grove Hill, Alabama Income tax evasion

ANDERSON, William Sterling Spartanburg, South Carolina Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured financial institution, false statements to a federally insured financial institution, wire fraud

AZIZKHANI, Mansour T. Huntsville, Alabama Conspiracy and making false statements in bank loan applications

BABIN, Cleveland Victor, Jr. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Conspiracy to commit offense against the United States by utilizing the U.S. mail in furtherance of a scheme to defraud

BAGLEY, Chris Harmon Harrah, Oklahoma Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine

BANE, Scott Lynn Mahomet, Illinois Unlawful distribution of marijuana

BARBER, Thomas Cleveland Hampton, Florida Issuing worthless checks

BARGON, Peggy Ann Monticello, Illinois Violation of the Lacey Act, violation of the Bald Eagle Protection Act

BHATKA, Tansukhlal Income tax evasion

BLAMPIED, David Roscoe Ketchum, Idaho Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

BORDERS, William Arthur, Jr. Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to corruptly solicit and accept money in return for influencing the official acts of a federal district court judge (Alcee L. Hastings), and to defraud the United States in connection with the performance of lawful government functions; corruptly influencing, obstructing, impeding and endeavoring to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice, and aiding and abetting therein; traveling interstate with intent to commit bribery

BOREL, Arthur David Little Rock, Arkansas Odometer rollback

BOREL, Douglas Charles Conway, Arkansas Odometer rollback

BRABHAM, George Thomas Austin, Texas Making a false statement or report to a federally insured bank

BRASWELL, Almon Glenn Doravilla, Georgia Conspiracy to defraud government with respect to claims; perjury

BROWDER, Leonard Aiken, South Carolina Illegal dispensing of controlled substance and Medicaid fraud

BROWN, David Steven New York, New York Securities fraud and mail fraud

BURLESON, Delores Caroylene, aka Delores Cox Burleson Hanna, Oklahoma Possession of marijuana

BUSTAMANTE, John H. Cleveland, Ohio Wire fraud

CAMPBELL, Mary Louise Ruleville, Mississippi Aiding and abetting the unauthorized use and transfer of food stamps

CANDELARIA, Eloida False information in registering to vote

CAPILI, Dennis Sobrevinas Glendale, California Filing false statements in alien registration

CHAMBERS, Donna Denise Memphis, Tennessee Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a telephone to facilitate cocaine conspiracy

CHAPMAN, Douglas Eugene Scott, Arkansas Bank fraud

CHAPMAN, Ronald Keith Scott, Arkansas Bank fraud

CHAVEZ, Francisco Larios Santa Ana, California Aiding and abetting illegal entry of aliens

CISNEROS, Henry G.

CLINTON, Roger

COHN, Stuart Harris New Haven, Connecticut 1. Illegal sale of gold options 2. Illegal sale of silver options

COOPER, David Marc Wapakoneta, Ohio Conspiracy to defraud the government

COX, Ernest Harley, Jr. Pine Bluff, Arkansas Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured savings and loan, misapplication of bank funds, false statements

CROSS, John F., Jr. Little Rock, Arkansas Embezzlement by a bank employee

CUNNINGHAM, Rickey Lee Amarillo, Texas Possession with intent to distribute marijuana

DE LABIO, Richard Anthony Baltimore, Maryland Mail fraud, aiding and abetting

DEUTCH, John Described in January 19, 2001 information

DOUGLAS, Richard False statements

DOWNE, Edward Reynolds Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax evasion; securities fraud

DUDLEY, Marvin Dean Omaha, Nebraska False statements

DUNCAN, Larry Lee Branson, Missouri Altering an automobile odometer

FAIN, Robert Clinton Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false corporate tax return

FERNANDEZ, Marcos Arcenio Miami, Florida Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana

FERROUILLET, Alvarez Interstate transport of stolen property, money laundering, false statements

FUGAZY, William Denis Harrison, New York Perjury in a bankruptcy proceeding

GEORGE, Lloyd Reid Mail fraud

GOLDSTEIN, Louis Las Vegas, Nevada Possession of goods stolen from interstate shipment

GORDON, Rubye Lee Tampa, Florida Forgery of U.S. Treasury checks

GREEN, Pincus Switzerland

HAMNER, Robert Ivey Searcy, Arkansas Conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute

HANDLEY, Samuel Price Hodgenville, Kentucky Conspiracy to steal government property

HANDLEY, Woodie Randolph Hodgenville, Kentucky Conspiracy to steal government property

HARMON, Jay Houston Jonesboro, Arkansas 1. Conspiracy to import marijuana, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, importation of marijuana,
possession of marijuana with intent to distribute 2. Conspiracy to import cocaine

HEMMINGSON, John Interstate transport of stolen property, money laundering

HERDLINGER, David S. St. Simons Island, Georgia Mail fraud

HUCKLEBERRY, Debi Rae Ogden, Utah Distribution of methamphetamine

JAMES, Donald Ray Fairfield Bay, Arkansas Mail fraud, wire fraud, and false statement to a bank to influence credit approval

JOBE, Stanley Pruet El Paso, Texas Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and bank fraud

JOHNSON, Ruben H. Austin, Texas Theft and misapplication of bank funds by a bank officer or director

JONES, Linda Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and other offenses against the United States

LAKE, James Howard Illegal corporate campaign contributions, wire fraud

LEWIS, June Louise Lowellville, Ohio Embezzlement by a bank employee

LEWIS, Salim Bonnor Short Hills, New Jersey Securities fraud, record keeping violations, margin violations

LODWICK, John Leighton Excelsior Springs, Missouri Income tax evasion

LOPEZ, Hildebrando San Isidro, Texas Distribution of cocaine

LUACES, Jose Julio Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Possession of an unregistered firearm

MANESS, James Timothy Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance

MANNING, James Lowell Little Rock, Arkansas Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false corporate tax return

MARTIN, John Robert Gulf Breeze, Florida Income tax evasion

MARTINEZ, Frank Ayala Elgin, Texas Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service

MARTINEZ, Silvia Leticia Beltran Elgin, Texas Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service

McCORMICK, John Francis Dedham, Massachusetts Racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, and violation of the Hobbs act

McDOUGAL, Susan H.

MECHANIC, Howard Lawrence 1. Violating the Civil Disobedience Act of 1968 2. Failure to appear 3. Making false statement in acquiring a passport

MITCHELL, Brook K., Sr. Conspiracy to illegally obtain USDA subsidy payments, false statements to USDA, and false entries on USDA forms

MORGAN, Charles Wilfred, III Little Rock, Arkansas Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

MORISON, Samuel Loring Crofton, Maryland Willful transmission of defense information, unauthorized possession and retention of defense information, theft of government property

NAZZARO, Richard Anthony Winchester, Massachusetts Perjury and conspiracy to commit mail fraud

NOSENKO, Charlene Ann Phoenix, Arizona Conspiracy to defraud the United States, and influencing or injuring an officer or juror generally

OBERMEIER, Vernon Raymond Belleville, Illinois Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and using a communications facility to facilitate distribution of cocaine

OGALDE, Miguelina Glendale, California Conspiracy to import cocaine

OWEN, David C. Olathe, Kansas Filing a false tax return

PALMER, Robert W. Little Rock, Arkansas Conspiracy to make false statements

PERHOSKY, Kelli Anne Bridgeville, Pennsylvania Conspiracy to commit mail fraud

PEZZOPANE, Richard H. Palo Heights, Illinois Conspiracy to commit racketeering, and mail fraud

PHILLIPS, Orville Rex Waco, Texas Unlawful structure of a financial transaction

POLING, Vinson Stewart, Jr. Baldwin, Maryland Making a false bank entry, and aiding and abetting

PROUSE, Norman Lyle Conyers, Georgia Operating or directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol

PRUITT, Willie H. H., Jr. Port Richey, Florida Absent without official leave

PURSLEY, Danny Martin, Sr. Goodlettsville, Tennessee Aiding and abetting the conduct of an illegal gambling business, and obstruction of state laws to facilitate illegal gambling

RAVENEL, Charles D. Charleston, South Carolina Conspiracy to defraud the United States

RAY, William Clyde Altus, Oklahoma Fraud using a telephone

REGALADO, Alfredo Luna Pharr, Texas Failure to report the transportation of currency in excess of $10,000 into the United States

RICAFORT, Ildefonso Reynes Houston, Texas Submission of false claims to Veterans Administration

RICH, Marc Switzerland

RIDDLE, Howard Winfield Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado Violation of the Lacey Act (receipt of illegally imported animal skins)

RILEY, Richard Wilson, Jr. Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute

ROBBINS, Samuel Lee Cedar Park, Texas Misprision of a felony

RODRIGUEZ, Joel Gonzales Houston, Texas Theft of mail by a postal employee

ROGERS, Michael James McAllen, Texas Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana

ROSS, Anna Louise Lubbock, Texas Distribution of cocaine

RUST, Gerald Glen Avery, Texas False declarations before grand jury

RUST, Jerri Ann Avery, Texas False declarations before grand jury

RUTHERFORD, Bettye June Albuquerque, New Mexico Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute

SANDS, Gregory Lee Sioux Falls, South Dakota Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

SCHWIMMER, Adolph Conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to export arms and ammunition to a foreign country and related charges

SERETTI, Albert A., Jr. McKees Rocks, Pennyslvania Conspiracy and wire fraud

SHAW, Patricia Campbell Hearst Wilton, Connecticut Armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a felony

SMITH, Dennis Joseph Redby, Minnesota 1. Unauthorized absence 2. Failure to obey off-limits instructions 3. Unauthorized absence

SMITH, Gerald Owen Florence, Mississippi Armed bank robbery SMITH, Stephen A.

SPEAKE, Jimmie Lee Breckenridge, Texas Conspiracy to possess and utter counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes

STEWART, Charles Bernard Sparta, Georgia Illegally destroying U.S. Mail

STEWART-ROLLINS, Marlena Francisca Euclid, Ohio Conspiracy to distribute cocaine SYMINGTON, John Fife, III

TANNEHILL, Richard Lee Reno, Nevada Conspiracy and restraint of trade

TENAGLIA, Nicholas C. Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania Receipt of illegal payments under the Medicare program

THOMAS, Gary Allen Lancaster, Texas Theft of mail by postal employee

TODD, Larry Weldon Gardendale, Texas Conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S. in violation of the Lacey Act and the Airborne Hunting Act

TREVINO, Olga C. Converse, Texas Misapplication by a bank employee

VAMVOUKLIS, Ignatious Exeter, New Hampshire Possession of cocaine

VAN DE WEERD, Patricia A. Tomahawk, Wisconsin Theft by a U.S. Postal employee

WADE, Christopher V.

WARMATH, Bill Wayne Walls, Mississippi Obstruction of correspondence

WATSON, Jack Kenneth Oakridge, Oregon Making false statements of material facts to the U.S. Forest Service

WEBB, Donna Lynn Panama City, Florida False entry in savings and loan record by employee

Sources: US Department of Justice. http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm

Press Release from the Office of New York Senator