Three of former US President Bill Clinton's top aides told Congress they argued against the last-minute pardon for billionaire Mr Marc Rich, but believed Mr Clinton made his decision based on the merits of the case.
Former chief-of-staff Mr John Podesta, White House counsel Ms Beth Nolan and close adviser Mr Bruce Lindsey said the Rich pardon was discussed during at least two staff meetings in the chaotic final days of Mr Clinton's presidency, including a heated session the day before it was granted.
"The staff informed the president that it was our view that the pardon should not be granted," Mr Podesta told the House Government Reform Committee, which is investigating whether the pardon was linked to donations by Rich's ex-wife Denise.
Denise Rich has declined to answer questions before the committee.
Mr Rich fled to Switzerland 17 years ago to avoid prosecution on racketeering, wire fraud, income tax evasion and illegal oil trading charges and received a pardon from Mr Clinton on his last day in office on January 20th.
The committee, along with a Senate panel and federal criminal investigators, are looking into allegations Denise Rich's donations of more than $1 million to Democratic candidates and groups and $450,000 to the Clinton library might have played a role in the pardon.
New York state tax authorities said last night they were suing Rich for income tax evasion and would seek $137 million owed on money Rich made in the 1980s while in control of two companies that admitted fraud involving illegal oil trading.