Clinton issues statement on new pardon controversy

ALSO List of presidential pardons Former president calls Rich pardon 'disgraceful' Clinton shakes up speaking circuit Judiciary panel to investigate presidential pardon power   RESOURCES In-Depth: The Clinton Years   MESSAGE BOARD Clinton pardons

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former President Bill Clinton Wednesday acknowledged that his brother-in-law, attorney Hugh Rodham, was paid money to represent two people -- one who received a pardon, the other a commutation -- but sources said the payments had been returned.

The statement reads: "Yesterday, I became aware of press inquiries that Hugh Rodham received a contingency fee in connection with a pardon application by Glenn Braswell and a fee for work on the Carlos Vignali commutation application," the statement reads. "Neither Hillary nor I had any knowledge of such payments. We are deeply disturbed by these reports, and insisted that Hugh return any monies received."

Braswell was pardoned for his 1983 convictions involving fraud, perjury and tax invasion. Vignali was serving a prison term on a cocaine charge.

Justice Department sources said that Braswell is currently under investigation in a separate case, but that the pardon would not impede that, CNN's Bob Franken reported.

Clinton issued 140 pardons and 36 sentence commutations hours before he left office Jan. 20.

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