Posted on 08/26/2014 2:48:59 PM PDT by Liz
EDITED Alec MacGillis' epic New Republic 9,000-word investigation into the inner workings of the Clinton Global Foundation (now renamed the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Family Foundation) is only the latest probe into the more questionable associations of the Clintons' multi-billion-dollar tax-exempt international charity.
The foundation (and it's myriad of tax-exempt fund-raising adventures) has become former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's perch as she prepares for what appears to be a likely 2016 presidential run.....now some corners of the mainstream media are shining a harsher spotlight on it. Here's a brief primer on what is likely to be a continuing issue in the days ahead.
<><> MacGillis' New Republic piece examines how a once-lowly professional "body man" (valet/gofer for then-President Clinton) -- Doug Band -- was able to parlay that association into top official status at the foundation besides creating an extremely lucrative private side business as a political consultant. Band's modus operandi was to sell access to Clinton for hefty fees...some of them pretty sketchy characters.
One was swindler Raffaello Follieri, who was able to worm his way into the foundation's inner circle by cozying up to Doug Band...and pledging $50 million of other people's money (before he got caught). Follieri scammed other Clinton foundation donors like Ron Burkle into investing in Follieri's real estate projects — Burkle ponied up bigtime and another gave Follieri $100 million — money that was used to finance a high-rolling lifestyle. One of Follieri's cruises aboard a private yacht entertained Sen John McCain.
Follieri later pleaded guilty to fraud, conspiracy and money-laundering charges and served time in a federal prison. More detailed versions can be found in the Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair. It was also televised on CNBC's American Greed show.
There are similar cases of people using the foundation to connect with wealthy individuals as part of financial schemes.....seemingly w/the Clintons' approval MacGillis' piece relates how London businessman and foundation donor Victor Dahdaleh was charged by British authorities with bribery involving a Bahraini company to the tune of $9.5 million. (The case is still pending.)
<><> The New York Times published a lengthy investigation into Band's role at the Clinton foundation in August. The Times noted that, despite having raised billions of dollars in donations, the foundation has nevertheless experienced "financial problems." In 2007-08, for example, it ran $40 million deficit. Last year's deficit was $8 million.
The Times also noted that MF Global, ex-Democrat Gov/Senantor Jon Corzine's international brokerage firm that collapsed in 2011, costing its customers an estimated $1.2 billion, was an early client of Band's consulting firm. Teneo was paid was $125,000 a month. Bill Clinton got a cut as an official Teneo adviser but left after MF Global's collapse, reportedly "upset" over negative publicity. Corzine, an ex-Goldman Sachs'er was also being considered for Obama's Treasury Secy.
Bill Clinton later praised Band in a letter announcing he was leaving Teneo. "I couldn't have accomplished half of what I have in my post-presidency without Doug Band," he said. Reportedly, Band edited the letter.
<><> A 2008 New York Times story recounted how Canadian businessman Frank Giustra, a generous Clinton foundation donor, was able to get Bill Clinton's personal assistance in obtaining a deal with Khazakstan that turned him into the world's largest uranium producer. After Giustra got the deal, he pledged $131 million to the foundation.
<><> Other stories have noted that many of the foundation's officials live well. The New York Post reported that the foundation has spent $50 million on travel expenses since 2003, including $12.1 million in 2011 alone.
TEL 212-348-8882
WEB SITE http://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative
LINK http://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-presidential-center
Crime, money laundering, wealth-shuffling, tax-evasion, campaign financing....and of course, the Clintons are broke....nothing unexpected here. SOS.
Who said ‘crime does not pay’??
It’s disgusting ....no matter what they do, what they say, no matter what is exposed, the Clinton machine keeps on rolling along.....picking up political power, money, donations, feeding Hillary’s ambitions......
Most disgusting is them living the high life on posh enclaves, acting as if they were “ordinary Amreicans.”
Lifestyle’s of the poor and destitute. criminals enjoying thier spoils
They can’t take it with them.
And I think it’s gonna be hot where the klintons end up.
At least if God has a say.
btt!
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