FBI releases docs from 2001 Rich probe days before US election

The FBI has once again courted controversy as it released heavily redacted files from its 2001 investigation of President Bill Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich, just one week from Election Day.

The bureau yesterday posted 129 pages from its 2001 investigation of Rich, a former hedge-fund trader who had been indicted on multiple counts of tax evasion.

The release -- issued by an automated FBI Twitter account -- quickly drew complaints from Democrats who have assailed FBI Director James Comey for his decision last week to tell Congress the bureau was reviewing emails potentially related to Hillary Clinton's private server.

The bureau has been accused by some of meddling in the final days of a hard-fought US presidential election on November 8.

Hillary Clinton's supporters were already fuming after Comey revived the specter of her email scandal in the tense final days of the presidential election, a move that played right into Donald Trump's hands, CNN reported.

But their frustrations -- and suspicions -- intensified yesterday when the FBI suddenly released redacted files about its 2001 probe into President Clinton's pardon of Rich, it said.

"In an election hinging on voter perceptions of character and trustworthiness, the move revived memories of yet another political fracas surrounding the Clinton family," the network commented.

The FBI's tweet led some to conclude the documents were related to the Clintons' charitable foundation, but the tweet was referring to Bill Clinton's presidential library, which is governed by the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Bill Clinton pardoned Rich on his last day in office, one of his most controversial decisions as president. The FBI closed its investigation of Clinton's pardon for Rich in 2005 and no charges were filed against the former president.

"Absent a (Freedom of Information Act) litigation deadline, this is odd. Will FBI be posting docs on Trump's housing discrimination in '70s?" tweeted Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Clinton's campaign.

The FBI defended its actions in a statement yesterday.

"The FBI's Records Management Division receives thousands of FOIA requests annually which are processed on a first in, first out basis," the bureau said.

"By law, FOIA materials that have been requested three or more times are posted electronically to the FBI's public reading room shortly after they are processed. Per the standard procedure for FOIA, these materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures.