Clinton Library: $8 Million Added

Donors gave about $8 million last year to the foundation that is planning former President Clinton’s presidential library, according to documents released Wednesday.

The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation had $13.8 million in assets at the end of 2000, compared to $5.9 million in 1999. The 2000 figures were listed on a form the organization submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

The figures do not include pledges and donors were not identified.

The foundation raised $3.1 million in 1999.

Congress is investigating whether library donations were linked to a number of last-moment presidential pardons, particularly that of fugitive financier Marc Rich. His ex-wife, Denise, has donated $450,000 to the foundation since 1998.

Rich, who fled the United States in 1983 rather than face criminal charges, was pardoned by Clinton on Jan. 20--Clinton’s last day in office.

Foundation President Skip Rutherford said more than 60,000 individuals gave $1,000 or less. By contrast, the SBC Foundation, the parent company of Southwestern Bell, donated $250,000.

“We did not take any foreign government contributions while President Clinton was in office, but certainly it is an area we will be focusing on in the future,” Rutherford said.

The 27-acre Clinton Presidential Park on the Arkansas River will include a library, museum, policy center and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

One court challenge is pending. A landowner claims the city did not have authority to take his property through eminent domain to build the park. A court sided with the city, but landowner Eugene Pfeifer III has appealed to the state Supreme Court.