Washington - Congressional investigators yesterday widened their inquiry into Mr Bill Clinton's last-minute pardons as US president after it emerged that both his halfbrother and brother-in-law lobbied for him to grant pardons.
In a new development, a Clinton aide, Ms Julia Payne, confirmed that Roger Clinton, himself the recipient of presidential clemency for a 1985 drug conviction, asked his halfbrother to pardon 10 friends and acquaintances. "None of these pardons were granted and so this really is a moot point now. Also he was not paid," Ms Payne told Reuters.
Congressional investigators sent a letter to Roger Clinton asking him whether he had asked for pardons and if he had been paid to lobby for his friends.
Hugh Rodham, brother of Hillary Clinton, accepted a fee of $400,000 to lobby for pardons but later returned the money.