While SOS, Clintons Failed Honor Ethics Agmt: Failed Disclose $26.4 Million Incdg From Foreign Govts

[amborin]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/21/politics/clinton-foundation-speech-income/index.html

Washington (CNN) — The Clinton Foundation confirmed Thursday that it received as much as $26.4 million in previously unreported payments from foreign governments and corporations for speeches given by the Clintons.

It's the latest in a string of admissions from the foundation that it didn't always abide by a 2008 ethics agreement to disclose its funding sources publicly. That agreement, penned as Hillary Clinton became secretary of state, is certain to continue the headache that the foundation's work and donors have become for Clinton as she makes another run at the White House.

The Washington Post first reported the news that, since 2002, Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton gave 97 speeches benefiting the foundation, earning anywhere from $10,000 to $1 million dollars in fees.

Former President Clinton was the biggest earner for speeches, giving three that brought in anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

Both he and his wife gave a smattering of speeches to foreign companies and other organizations for anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000. Bill Clinton spoke to Thailand's Ministry of Energy, China Real Estate Development Group, Ltd, and Qatar First Investment Bank; Hillary Clinton spoke to Goldman Sachs, Citibank and JP Morgan Chase, among others.

According to foundation officials, the income -- at least $12 million and as much as more than twice that -- was not disclosed publicly because it was considered and tallied for tax purposes as revenue, rather than donations.

In April, the head of a Canadian charity that donates to the foundation acknowledged that it didn't disclose any of the 1,100 largely foreign donors that ultimately contributed $2.35 million to the broader organization through the Canadian group.

snip

Thursday's news comes on the heels of the Clintons' disclosure last week that the couple made more than $30 million since January of 2014, much of that from paid speeches, which earned them $25.3 million during that period.

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[djean111]

1. How about we just agree that they have no ethics? n/t

[CentralCoaster]

2. DQ. Disqualified. (nt)

[IdaBriggs]

3. Pocket change. From the couch cushions.

[Skwmom]

4. Why isn't Obama upset by this? Puzzling...

[Avalux]

6. He can't say too much.

As the head of the Dems and President, even if he'd like to speak out on all of this, he won't. It would drag him into the middle of a mess and I don't think that would be helpful. He doesn't want to be the reason the Democratic Party implodes.

But his statement on Hillary's emails was interesting. He spoke well of her performance as SOS saying he didn't think she would intentionally do anything to harm the country, then used the word carelessness to describe her actions. It was a dig, a very well-disguised dig. Then he went on to say he would not interfere with the FBI's investigation.

Remember - Obama knows a whole hell of a lot more than we do.

[berni_mccoy]

5. Woopsies! Just a in time for the NY Debate.

[Gwhittey]

7. It is article from 2015.

Back when the news did not kiss her ass as much.

[Scuba]

8. But she hasn't been convicted, so it's all good. Read that right here on DU.