CNN | Officials
from the FBI and Department of Justice met several months ago to
discuss opening a public corruption case into the Clinton Foundation,
according to a US official.
At
the time, three field offices were in agreement an investigation should
be launched after the FBI received notification from a bank of
suspicious activity from a foreigner who had donated to the Clinton
Foundation, according to the official.
FBI
officials wanted to investigate whether there was a criminal conflict
of interest with the State Department and the Clinton Foundation during
Clinton's tenure. The Department of Justice had looked into allegations
surrounding the foundation a year earlier after the release of the
controversial book "Clinton Cash," but found them to be unsubstantiated
and there was insufficient evidence to open a case.
As
a result, DOJ officials pushed back against opening a case during the
meeting earlier this year. Some also expressed concern the request
seemed more political than substantive, especially given the timing of
it coinciding with the investigation into the private email server and
Clinton's presidential campaign.
The
FBI's investigation into Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his tie to a
Clinton Foundation donor was also raised during the meeting. DOJ said
that probe could continue but declined to open a case on the foundation.
Representatives from the Clinton Foundation, FBI and DOJ declined to comment.
