Hillary's brother targeted in new investigation demand

A new wrinkle in the "Pardongate" scandal that embroiled the Clintons just after former President Bill Clinton issued a series of pardons, and then relinquished the nation's highest office: Hillary Rodham Clinton's brother is being investigated for a "loan" from some of those pardoned.

Judicial Watch, the Washington-based public interest group that investigates government corruption, said it has asked for a formal investigation of the payments from Vonna Jo Gregory to Anthony Rodham.

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According to Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, the request to the U.S. Department of Justice seeks an investigation into activities involving Hillary Clinton, Anthony Rodham, former President Clinton and Gregory, the former owner of the carnival company United Shows International.

Records show that in March 2000, former President Clinton pardoned Vonna Jo Gregory, and her husband, Edgar Gregory, Jr., for a 1982 bank fraud conviction. Judicial Watch said starting around the time the pardon was issued, Hillary Clinton's brother, Anthony Rodham received $107,000 in "loans" from United Shows International. The first payment of $10,000 was on May 10, 2000, and other payments ranging up to $15,000 followed almost monthly into 2001, with a final payment of $2,500 on Feb. 12, 2002, according to court records.

The company later filed for bankruptcy, and the "loans" apparently never were repaid. Edgar Gregory, Jr., died a short time later.

But Michael Collins, a court-appointed trustee for the Eastern District of Virginia who is handling the United Shows International's finances, now has sought repayment from Rodham and won a default judgment in a Nashville bankruptcy court.

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"There is now sufficient reason … for the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into Mr. Rodham's unlawful pardon brokerage activities," Fitton wrote in a letter to Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher. "It is … apparent that the reason for the payment of 'loans' to Mr. Rodham by United Shows and Edgar and Vonna Jo Gregory was a quid pro quo to influence President Clinton to issue the pardons."

The bankruptcy proceeding resulted in an order that Rodham is not allowed to access about $142,000 he had in his bank account at the time, Judicial Watch said.

"In light of this new information on Hillary's brother, the Justice Department needs to finally get serious about this scandal," Fitton said. "No one should get away with selling pardons."

The former president granted 140 pardons and commuted 36 sentences during the last days of his presidency in 2000. Many were convicted felons, and Judicial Watch has alleged some paid large fees to Clinton family members and associates.

Judicial Watch started its investigation of the claims in 2001.

Sen. Clinton's other brother, Hugh Rodham, also allegedly received $400,000 in payments from convicted felons who received pardons, Judicial Watch said.

According to a report by United Press International, the bankruptcy trustee has attempted to garnish Rodham's wages, and his lawyer has sought to have that cancelled.

The bankruptcy trustee request is for the return of $107,000 plus $46,034 in interest from Rodham, 51, who "received the benefit of the loans without making any repayment," according to a web report called Captain's Quarters.

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