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Clinton Foundation investigated by Justice Department | Clinton Foundation investigated by Justice Department |
(35 minutes later) | |
The US Justice Department has opened a new inquiry into the Clinton family's non-profit organisation, the Clinton Foundation, US media report. | The US Justice Department has opened a new inquiry into the Clinton family's non-profit organisation, the Clinton Foundation, US media report. |
The Attorney General and FBI will reportedly investigate claims Hillary Clinton engaged in so-called "pay-to-play" politics for donations. | The Attorney General and FBI will reportedly investigate claims Hillary Clinton engaged in so-called "pay-to-play" politics for donations. |
Mrs Clinton's spokesman on Friday labelled the inquiry a "sham". | Mrs Clinton's spokesman on Friday labelled the inquiry a "sham". |
He said Attorney General Jeff Sessions was doing President Trump's bidding to distract from the Russia probe. | He said Attorney General Jeff Sessions was doing President Trump's bidding to distract from the Russia probe. |
What will inquiry focus on? | What will inquiry focus on? |
The FBI has been quietly investigating the Clinton Foundation for months, according to people familiar with the inquiry, US media report. | The FBI has been quietly investigating the Clinton Foundation for months, according to people familiar with the inquiry, US media report. |
The investigation is reportedly being led by FBI agents from Little Rock, Arkansas, where the foundation was founded. | The investigation is reportedly being led by FBI agents from Little Rock, Arkansas, where the foundation was founded. |
They have interviewed at least one witness in the last month, reports the Hill, a Washington DC political news outlet. | They have interviewed at least one witness in the last month, reports the Hill, a Washington DC political news outlet. |
Agents are said to be looking into whether policy favours were traded for unspecified donations to the foundation while Mrs Clinton was secretary of state. | Agents are said to be looking into whether policy favours were traded for unspecified donations to the foundation while Mrs Clinton was secretary of state. |
But figures within the Justice Department and FBI doubt any charges will be brought, the Washington Post reports. | But figures within the Justice Department and FBI doubt any charges will be brought, the Washington Post reports. |
The FBI began looking into the foundation in 2015, but the inquiry was put on hold amid election season a year later. | The FBI began looking into the foundation in 2015, but the inquiry was put on hold amid election season a year later. |
Why is the foundation controversial? | Why is the foundation controversial? |
US media outlets including the New York Times in recent years have scrutinised the Clinton Foundation. | US media outlets including the New York Times in recent years have scrutinised the Clinton Foundation. |
Reports have explored possible links between contributions and speech fees received by the charity and decisions by Clinton's State Department that benefited donors. | |
Many of the allegations were detailed in conservative author Peter Schweizer's 2015 book Clinton Cash. | Many of the allegations were detailed in conservative author Peter Schweizer's 2015 book Clinton Cash. |
Founded in 1997 by former US President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Foundation has become a multi-billion dollar organisation. | Founded in 1997 by former US President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Foundation has become a multi-billion dollar organisation. |
It has projects around the world focusing on women's heath, climate change and economic development, according to its website. | It has projects around the world focusing on women's heath, climate change and economic development, according to its website. |
Mr Clinton remains the foundation's president, and the couple's daughter, Chelsea, sits as vice-chair. | Mr Clinton remains the foundation's president, and the couple's daughter, Chelsea, sits as vice-chair. |
Mrs Clinton pledged to have no formal role in the charity while serving as secretary of state from 2009-13. | Mrs Clinton pledged to have no formal role in the charity while serving as secretary of state from 2009-13. |
In November last year the US Justice Department asked prosecutors to look into the charitable foundation and a deal to sell a uranium company. | In November last year the US Justice Department asked prosecutors to look into the charitable foundation and a deal to sell a uranium company. |
But Mr Sessions at the time told a Senate hearing there was no basis to appoint a special counsel to investigate the "Uranium One" sale. | But Mr Sessions at the time told a Senate hearing there was no basis to appoint a special counsel to investigate the "Uranium One" sale. |
What's the reaction? | What's the reaction? |
Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill railed against the new Justice Department inquiry. | Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill railed against the new Justice Department inquiry. |
"The goal is to distract from the indictments, guilty pleas, and accusations of treason from Trump's own people at the expense of our justice system's integrity," he said. | "The goal is to distract from the indictments, guilty pleas, and accusations of treason from Trump's own people at the expense of our justice system's integrity," he said. |
"It's disgraceful, and should be concerning to all Americans." | "It's disgraceful, and should be concerning to all Americans." |
A spokesperson for the Clinton Foundation itself said the investigation would not distract its humanitarian work. | A spokesperson for the Clinton Foundation itself said the investigation would not distract its humanitarian work. |
"Time after time, the Clinton Foundation has been subjected to politically motivated allegations, and time after time these allegations have been proven false," said spokesman Craig Minassian. | |
However, the inquiry will be welcomed by President Trump, who has frequently called for investigations against the former secretary of state, whom he calls "crooked Hillary". | However, the inquiry will be welcomed by President Trump, who has frequently called for investigations against the former secretary of state, whom he calls "crooked Hillary". |
What other Clinton-linked inquiries are afoot? | |
On Friday, two top Republicans referred the former British spy who wrote a dossier of allegations about Donald Trump for possible criminal charges. | |
Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley and fellow panel member Senator Lindsey Graham suggested the Justice Department investigate whether Christopher Steele had lied to the FBI. | |
Mr Steele's political-opposition research report - reportedly bankrolled partly by the Clinton campaign - suggested the Trump campaign was complicit in Russian political meddling in the US. | |
Separately, there are reports that the Justice Department is looking back into Mrs Clinton's use of a private email server while she was America's top diplomat. |
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