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Judicial Watch Fights for Release of Clinton Pardon Docs Judicial Watch continues to stay hot on the trail of Bill and Hillary Clinton for their criminal conduct. On Thursday, January 22, Judicial Watch argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia seeking the release of thousands of documents pertaining to Bill Clinton's controversial last-minute pardons. Shockingly, the Bush Justice Department is attempting to block the release of the documents, asserting an unprecedented claim of executive privilege. JW was therefore forced to file a lawsuit to gain access. "It is sad that President Bush's Justice Department is trying to cover up Bill Clinton's despicable pardons," said JW President Tom Fitton. "The American people are entitled to know the truth about what happened in the waning hours of Clinton's presidency. Judicial Watch will continue to fight on their behalf." Hours before he left office on January 20, 2001, Clinton issued 140 pardons and 36 sentence commutations. Among those who received a reprieve from the former president was Marc Rich, a billionaire financier who had been listed as an international fugitive by the Justice Department for various tax fraud charges. Clinton immediately came under fire for the suspicious pardon due to hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions to the Clinton Library Foundation made by Denise Rich, Mark Rich's ex-wife. Clinton also issued pardons for two individuals represented by Hugh Rodham, Hillary Clinton's brother, who was financially compensated for his efforts, according to CNN and other investigators. Rodham's client Glenn Braswell had been convicted on fraud, perjury and tax evasion charges, while Carlos Vignali had played a role in a cocaine-trafficking ring. "All the evidence to date shows a quid pro quo exchange between criminals and the Clinton family - large gifts to the Clintons in exchange for presidential pardons," continued Fitton. Judicial Watch initially sought access to these documents from the Justice Department under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act in February 2001. Now, three years later, this case remains a priority for Judicial Watch. The Bush Administration's lawyers are attempting to render virtually every single document pertaining to the Clinton pardons off-limits to the American people. Led by Judicial Watch Litigation Director Paul Orfanedes, who is spearheading the case, JW continues to fight for transparency in government. The Bush Justice Department's investigations into the Clinton pardons are ongoing, but moribund. Hopefully, a court-ordered release of the documents behind this Pardongate affair will not only educate the American people about government corruption, but spur prosecutions of the Clintons and others. SIDEBAR "The liberation of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." - American Patriot Patrick Henry.
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