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American Morning

Denise Rich Granted Immunity, Clinton's Half-Brother Subpoenaed

Aired April 16, 2001 - 11:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A new report on "TIME" magazine's Web site says prosecutors have struck a deal to grant immunity to Denise Rich. Now, she is the former wife of financier Marc Rich, who was pardoned by President Clinton on his last day in the Oval Office.

For the latest on this story, let's go now to CNN's Jeanne Meserve in Washington.

Jeanne, good morning.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.

If you thought or hoped that the Clinton controversies were behind us: not so -- "TIME" reporting that Denise Rich, the former wife of financier Marc Rich, has struck an immunity deal with U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White.

Marc Rich, of course, is the fugitive financier who received a pardon from President Clinton during his last hours in office over the objections of White House lawyers. Investigators want to know whether Denise Rich's large donations to the Clinton library and Democratic Party and candidates were a factor.

The reporter who broke this story says the deal with Denise Rich does not necessarily indicate there was criminal wrongdoing on anyone's part. It does indicate, she says, that prosecutors will get a clearer picture of events.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIVECA NOVAK, "TIME": She can tell them all about her contributions to the presidential library, to the Democratic Party, to other Democratic candidates. She can talk to them about why she made them. She can talk to them about how she was approached to go to bat for her ex-husband, despite their bitter divorce. She can tell them about her contacts with other people who may have been trying to help Marc Rich and her contacts with the president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: "TIME" also reports that Marc Rich attorney Jack Quinn has already testified before the grand jury, as has Beth Dozoretz, a former Democratic fund-raiser and friend of both Denise Rich and the Clintons.

And picking up another thread of the pardon story, CNN has confirmed that Bill Clinton's brother Roger has been subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury, reportedly on Friday. His lawyer says that he does not know how his client is going to respond.

According to "TIME," two Texans allege Roger Clinton was part of a group that swindled them out of $200,000. They claim Roger Clinton was supposed to help secure a pardon for a relative, but that did not happen. Although Roger Clinton has admitted trying unsuccessfully to obtain pardons for several people, he has said he got no money for his efforts -- Leon, back to you.

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