Newly released FBI documents shed light on a troubling connection between Hillary Clinton and Indian hotel magnate Sant Singh Chatwal, a convicted felon. The FBI intercepted communications that raise significant concerns about foreign bribery and the potential misuse of the Clinton Foundation as a personal funding source while Clinton served as Secretary of State. The investigation, known as “Cracked Foundation,” has been ongoing since 2010.
Chatwal, a long-time associate of the Clinton family, played a key role as a fundraiser for Clinton’s initial presidential campaign and as a trustee of the Clinton Foundation. His criminal background is alarming; he pled guilty in 2014 to laundering campaign donations through illegal straw donors and was penalized with a substantial forfeiture of one million dollars.
Among the more alarming statements captured by an informant was Chatwal’s candid admission about manipulating the political system, saying, “That’s the only way to buy them, get into the system.” This stark acknowledgment illustrates an intent to exert influence through illicit financial contributions.
As Clinton moved closer to securing the Democratic nomination in 2016, New York-based FBI field officers sought to question her about these foreign donations. The agents prepared inquiries geared toward exposing serious red flags, including intercepted communications involving the Clinton Foundation. One notable exchange occurred between Clinton and Chatwal regarding her lingering campaign debt from 2008, where Clinton suggested that he direct his financial contributions to the Clinton Foundation rather than to her campaign. This raised troubling questions about whether the foundation was being used as a vehicle to subsidize her political debts, thus circumventing campaign finance regulations.
WikiLeaks documents from 2011 further highlighted Chatwal’s involvement in settling Clinton’s 2008 campaign liabilities, intensifying suspicions of impropriety surrounding their interactions. This relationship also intersected with significant U.S. foreign policy decisions, particularly the contentious U.S.-India nuclear deal. Chatwal, who lobbied vigorously for the agreement, poured millions into influencing its passage, claiming success in swaying Clinton to support the initiative after considerable investment in time and resources.
FBI agents’ prepared inquiries suggested a probing interest into whether Chatwal’s substantial financial contributions effectively purchased political influence. They sought clarity on his past as a convicted felon who allegedly made large cash payments to Indian officials to facilitate the nuclear deal.
The investigation reveals that the Clinton Foundation continued to accept foreign donations during Clinton’s term at the State Department, despite an arrangement with the Obama administration that limited such contributions. This blatant disregard for the agreement raises questions about the transparency and ethics of her foundation’s operations. The emergence of the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI), which funneled funds to the foundation without the required disclosures, compounded the issues at hand.
Agents intended to question Clinton regarding her commitment to disclose all donations to the Clinton Foundation, especially in light of the CGSGI’s funds, which allegedly came from foreign entities involved in matters she handled at the State Department.
Despite the compelling nature of the evidence, the FBI’s main office, under the Obama administration, did not permit a further investigation into these troubling details. Upon interviewing Clinton in July 2016 about her private email server, investigators never broached the subject of her foundation’s dealings, leaving many unanswered questions and frustrations among field agents who felt their inquiries were stifled.
The documents cast a disturbing light on the intertwining of political influence, foreign donations, and personal gain during Clinton’s public service.
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