Controversy continues to surround Bill Clinton as the investigation widens into pardons he granted during his presidency. It is now reported that he commuted the fraud sentences of four Hasidic Jewish leaders from New York in return for their community's support for his wife's Senate race.
Residents of the New Square community voted almost unanimously for Hillary Rodham Clinton in New York's Senate race last November, while nearby Hasidic communities voted overwhelmingly for her Republican opponent, Rick Lazio. The four Hasidic leaders of New Square were convicted in 1999 of stealing more than $30m in government funds. They received prison sentences ranging from 2.5 to 6.5 years. In today's Washington Post it is reported that Bill Clinton commuted their sentences by as much as 24 to 30 months.
This latest revelation comes on top of the ongoing investigation into Clinton's pardon of fugitive billionaire businessman Marc Rich. And the scandal grew last week when it was revealed that Bill Clinton's brother, Roger, and Hillary's brother, Hugh, had successfully lobbied the White House for clemency on behalf of businessmen jailed for corruption. Hugh Rodham pocketed $400,000 for his efforts.
Both the former president and his wife deny any wrongdoing, but even die-hard supporters are making their criticisms public. There is now growing concern that the scandals are undermining Hillary Clinton's US Senate debut and could damage the Democrats' prospects in next year’s Congressional elections.
