Senate Inquiry Chief Accepted Funds

Wednesday, February 21st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Washington (AP)-The Clinton pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich continues to make news as investigations focus on whether contributions by ex-wife Denise Rich to the Democrats, the Clintons and the Clinton library fund may have influenced the former president's decision. So The Washington Post checked the Federal Election Commission for any pattern of contribution activity by Ms. Rich. And which politician received the first contributions Ms. Rich made in the 1990s? None other than Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., the Judiciary subcommittee chairman who is leading the Senate inquiry into the pardon. Checking records that go back to 1989, the newspaper found two $1,000 contributions from Ms. Rich. The first one was made March 26, 1991, to "Citizens for Arlen Specter." Her next contribution was made on Sept. 29, 1992, to Freedom of Expression '92.