Hillary Clinton's role in the controversial pardon of billionaire fugitive Marc Rich has been the subject of some questions in recent months.

While the former first lady has claimed ignorance and surprise regarding the decision, a review of available records suggests a different story, according to a report by Counter Punch.

The legal team representing Rich saw Clinton as a secret weapon and focused on invoking what they called the "HRC option."

About the Clinton Associate

Marc Rich, born in Belgium to Jewish parents, moved to the United States to escape Hitler's regime. He became a prominent oil trader and amassed a fortune through his oil deals with countries like Iran and Iraq.

However, in 1983, the U.S. Attorney's office began investigating Rich and his business partner for fraud, illegal oil deals, and tax evasion. Facing imminent indictments, Rich fled to Europe, narrowly evading capture multiple times.

Rich found refuge in Switzerland, where he amassed a wealth of over $7 billion. Despite being on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, he continued his business operations, even orchestrating a brutal crackdown on organized labor at a West Virginia-based company he secretly acquired.

During his exile, Rich cultivated ties with the Israeli government, establishing the Rich Foundation in Tel Aviv and financing covert missions for the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency. He also reached out to the FBI and CIA, offering his services in exchange for dropping the charges against him.

The efforts to secure a pardon for Rich intensified in 1998 when his public relations representative, Gershon Kekst, approached Eric Holder, the number two official in the Clinton Justice Department, at a party.

More Players in Clinton's Game

Holder recommended Jack Quinn, a lawyer with deep connections in the Clinton administration. Rich initially hesitated but eventually turned to Quinn after his original lawyer, Scooter Libby, failed to produce results.

Quinn's initial confidence in securing the pardon quickly faded when federal prosecutors in Manhattan vowed to oppose any deal unless Rich returned to the U.S. and entered a plea.

Desperate, the Rich team concealed their maneuvers from the prosecutors. They sought assistance from Israeli officials and influential Jews who benefited from Rich's foundations, but many leaders advocated for convicted spy Jonathan Pollard instead.

Quinn attempted to involve Leah Rabin, the widow of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who had a close relationship with Clinton. However, it proved unsuccessful as Rabin focused on Pollard's case instead.

The saga surrounding the Rich pardon raised questions about Hillary Clinton's involvement. While she maintained that she was unaware and surprised by the decision, evidence suggests a different story. The controversy surrounding the pardon and its implications continued to generate scrutiny and criticism.

Despite the controversy surrounding the Rich pardon, it remains a significant event in history that raises questions about the role of influential individuals and the power dynamics within the political landscape.