Dubious ties

For those who worry that donations to Bill Clinton's foundation may influence decisions made by Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, here's a good example of the problem, provided by Rachel Ehrenfeld.

The Iranian Alavi Foundation contributed between $25,000 and $50,000 to the William J. Clinton Foundation last December 19. That was the same day the Alavi Foundation was indicted on a charge of obstruction of justice by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a case connected to the Iranian Bank Melli Iran. Two days earlier, the U.S. government had designated Alavi's partner, the Assa Corp., as a terrorist entity. The Bank Melli Iran was so designated in October 2007.

If I were Bill Clinton's adviser, I'd urge him to return the money immediately.