Former fugitive Rich cancels St Moritz party

Billionaire financier Mr Marc Rich has called off a celebration party in a Swiss ski resort after the controversy over the pardon…

Billionaire financier Mr Marc Rich has called off a celebration party in a Swiss ski resort after the controversy over the pardon granted to him by former US president Mr Bill Clinton.

The ex-fugitive commodities trader and his wife, Gisela, last month invited friends to a "Night in Las Vegas" party in St Mortiz, according to the newspaper Blick.

But the couple then called their guests to tell them the party in the exclusive Chesa Veglia restaurant was off due to the huge media interest in his case.

A spokeswoman for the restaurant confirmed Mr Rich had planned a party for Friday but it had been cancelled. Mr Rich's spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

READ MORE

Mr Rich (66) fled the US in 1983 after being indicted on charges of wire fraud, racketeering and income tax evasion. Mr Clinton pardoned Mr Rich on his final day in office.

The controversial decision has since come under criminal and congressional investigation to see if large contributions to the Democratic Party by Mr Rich's ex-wife, pop songwriter Ms Denise Rich, were linked to the pardon.

Reuters