The private server in the closet wasn't used to conduct "illegal" business on the part of the Clinton Foundation. It was set up so they could conduct the CIA's business outside any scrutiny by Congress or the White House ... while giving Congress and the White House plausible deniability about any of it in the event the crap hit the fan and the whole operation was exposed.
Everyone in Congress and the White House knew what was going on, too.
I had not thought about it that way, but seeing how the CIA has operated, you are probably right.
This makes sense and love your theory.