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Clinton Helped Crony Land Mining Deal

After trip to Kazakhstan, buddy tapped uranium, Bill's charity got $31M

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 31, 2008 12:14 PM CST

(Newser) – Two days after former president Bill Clinton took pal and mining mogul Frank Giustra to meet Kazakhstan's de facto dictator, Giustra landed a monster contract to mine uranium with state-run mining company Kazatomprom, the New York Times reports—despite his firm’s lack of relevant experience. Shortly thereafter, Clinton’s charitable foundation got a $31.3 million check from Giustra.

Clinton emerged from that meeting praising Kazakhstan's regime, contradicting the officially harsh stance of both US foreign policy and his own wife. Clinton and Giustra deny talking business, but Kazatomprom's chief said deals were struck openly over dinner. He also recalled a meeting, years later, with the pair in Clinton’s house, which both Clinton and Giustra initially denied before backtracking.

Former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea wait to be introduced during a campaign stop at the University of Denver for the Democratic presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton in Denver on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.  (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea wait to be introduced during a campaign stop at the University of Denver for the Democratic presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton in Denver on Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
Former President Bill Clinton gestures during his talk to a crowd of primarily college students at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville on Wednesday Jan. 30, 2008.  Clinton was campaigning for his wife Hillary's presidential bid and planned on swinging through three states on Wednesday talking up his wife and her...
Former President Bill Clinton gestures during his talk to a crowd of primarily college students at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville on Wednesday Jan. 30, 2008. Clinton was campaigning for...   (Associated Press)
Frank Giustra, a Canadian businessman, speaks as former President Bill Clinton looks on during a news conference to announce the Clinton Foundation's launching of a new sustainable development initiative in Latin America Thursday, June 21, 2007  in New York. Giustra has pledged $100 million to the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth...
Frank Giustra, a Canadian businessman, speaks as former President Bill Clinton looks on during a news conference to announce the Clinton Foundation's launching of a new sustainable development initiative...   (Associated Press)
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