FBI releases controversial Clinton pardon case files

Hillary Clinton supporters are crying foul over the FBI’s release yesterday of documents related to the investigation into former President Bill Clinton’s pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich. Clinton issued the pardon in 2001 on his last day in office. The FBI investigated claims Clinton issued the pardon in exchange for a large donation to his foundation, which was then fundraising for his presidential library. But the investigation ended in 2005 with no charges filed. Hillary Clinton aides questioned the document release timing, especially as the agency faces claims of trying to derail her presidential campaign by re-opening its investigation into her emails. An agency spokesman said the timing was a coincidence triggered automatically by multiple Freedom of Information Act requests for the Rich investigation files. Rich's ex-wife, Denise Rich, pledged $450,000 for the Clinton library. Rich, who was indicted in 1983 but avoided prosecution by fleeing to Switzerland, died in 2013.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.