Clinton Reportedly Plans to Pardon Former Financier
By Neil A. Lewis
Washington, Jan. 12 — As one of his final acts of office, President Clinton is expected to grant a full pardon to Michael R. Milken, the former Wall Street financier who was convicted of securities fraud, lawyers involved in the process said today.
Mr. Milken, who pleaded guilty to six counts of securities fraud in 1990, served nearly two years in prison; paid more than $1 billion in fines, penalties, restitution and civil settlements and was barred from the securities business for life.
The lawyers said that if Mr. Clinton did not change his mind, the pardon would be announced within days. Mr. Milken lobbied aggressively for the pardon, emphasizing his record of philanthropy.
He also benefited, officials said, by having Ron Burkle, a friend of the president, press his case with Mr. Clinton. Mr. Burkle, also a friend and former client of Mr. Milken, is a California supermarket magnate who has been among Mr. Clinton's most generous political supporters and has contributed millions to the Democratic Party. He has also pledged to contribute to Mr. Clinton's $135 million presidential library, which will be built in Little Rock, Ark., fund-raisers said.
[Full text: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/13/politics/13PARD.html]
Carl
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