Washington - Three of Mr Bill Clinton's senior aides told Congress yesterday they argued against the last-minute pardon for billionaire Marc Rich, but believed Mr Clinton made his decision based on the merits of the case.
The former chief-of-staff, Mr John Podesta, White House counsel Ms Beth Nolan and a close adviser, Mr Bruce Lindsey, said the Rich pardon was discussed at two staff meetings in the final days of Mr Clinton's presidency, including a "heated" meeting the day before it was granted.
"The staff informed the president that it was our view that the pardon should not be granted," Mr Podesta told the House Government Reform Committee, which is investigating whether the pardon was linked to donations to Democratic causes or Mr Clinton's presidential library by Rich's ex-wife, Denise.
Ms Beth Dozoretz, the former finance chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, refused to testify before the committee, invoking her constitutional right against self-incrimination.