Justice Department reportedly considered, rejected Clinton Foundation criminal investigation

CNN says FBI wanted Clinton Foundation probe

(Image credit: CNN/YouTube)

last updated 12 August 2016

Several months ago, FBI and Justice Department officials met to discuss opening a criminal investigation into potential public corruption at the Clinton Foundation, CNN reported Thursday, citing "a U.S. official." Three FBI field offices reportedly wanted to open a case based on a bank alert about suspicious activity by a foreigner who had donated to the foundation, CNN says, but some Justice Department officials "expressed concern the request seemed more political than substantive," and the department had already looked into similar allegations earlier and "found them to be unsubstantiated and there was insufficient evidence to open a case."

CNN also reported Thursday that top Hillary Clinton aide Cheryl Mills, when she was Clinton's chief of staff at the State Department, traveled to New York City in June 2012 to interview two people for a top-level opening at the Clinton Foundation. Clinton had signed a pledge promising that Clinton Foundation activities would not "create conflicts or the appearance of conflicts for Senator Clinton as secretary of state," and CNN suggest Mills' quiet trip may have violated the spirit of that pledge. Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon disagrees, telling CNN: "Cheryl volunteered her personal time to a charitable organization, as she has to other charities. Cheryl paid for her travel to New York City personally, and it was crystal clear to all involved that this had nothing to do with her official duties. The idea that this poses a conflict of interest is absurd."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.