Denise Rich Makes Immunity Deal, Magazine Reports

Democratic donor Denise Rich has struck an immunity deal with prosecutors investigating Bill Clinton’s pardon of her ex-husband, fugitive financier Marc Rich, Time magazine reported on its Web site Saturday.

In addition, U.S. Atty. Mary Jo White has subpoenaed the former president’s brother, Roger Clinton, to appear before a grand jury this week to discuss his role in an alleged pardon swindle.

Denise Rich, who had argued in her ex-husband’s favor, has been bargaining with prosecutors for weeks in an attempt to work out an immunity deal, the magazine reported, citing lawyers close to the investigation.

That means any information she gives authorities about the pardon could not be used to prosecute her.

Marc Rich has been living in exile in Switzerland since a 1983 indictment charged him with tax evasion, racketeering and violating trade sanctions with Iran. He was pardoned by Clinton just before the president left office in January.

Clinton’s pardons of Rich and others are being investigated by White, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan.

Investigators have been questioning witnesses about whether Clinton pardoned Marc Rich in exchange for contributions from Denise Rich to the ex-president’s library in Arkansas, the Democratic Party or other political causes, and whether the money might have come from the financier.

A spokesman for White’s office, Herb Haddad, declined to comment on the investigation or the Time report. Denise Rich’s lawyer, Martin Pollner, also declined to comment.

Roger Clinton is to appear before a grand jury Friday, lawyers close to the probe told the magazine. He has denied that he received any money from people on whose behalf he requested clemency from his brother--who denied them all.

Two Texans claim they were swindled after being asked to pay more than $200,000 to a group that included Roger Clinton; they say he promised to secure a pardon but did not try to do so.