Attorney: Pardon figure plans not to testify

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A key figure in the controversy over former President Clinton's last-minute pardons intends to invoke the Fifth Amendment before a House committee investigating the matter, her attorney said Monday.

Thomas Green, an attorney for Beth Dozoretz, a Democratic fund raiser and booster of the Clinton presidential library, said she would invoke her constitutional right against self-incrimination. He cited the criminal investigation by the U.S. attorney in New York as a reason for declining.

ALSO Rich calls pardon 'humanitarian act' List of presidential pardons   RESOURCES In-Depth: The Clinton Years   MESSAGE BOARD Clinton pardons

"I am asking that you not require my client to invoke in person her privilege before the committee," Green wrote.

Rep. Dan Burton, chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, said he hopes Dozoretz will change her mind.

"It is my hope that when she comes before the committee on Thursday she will change her mind and answer the committee's questions," Burton said.

Dozoretz is a friend of Denise Rich, the former wife of Marc Rich. He is one of 140 people pardoned by Clinton hours before he left office. He had been listed as an international fugitive by the Justice Department, wanted on tax and fraud charges.

Burton's committee is scheduled to meet Thursday.

Sen. Clinton's campaign treasurer denies pardon wrongdoing
February 23, 2001

House Committee on Government Reform

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