Republican lawmakers are scrutinizing federal investigations after a newly released 2017 FBI memo suggested former President Bill Clinton may have received payments routed through a consulting firm connected to his associates.
The disclosure has prompted questions about whether probes into high-profile Democrats were conducted with the same intensity as investigations involving President Trump and his circle.
The memo, obtained by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) from a whistleblower, centers on an FBI inquiry into then-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a longtime Clinton fundraiser.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Grassley pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi on whether the Justice Department fully examined the findings and applied investigative resources evenly, noting that Clinton’s involvement warrants careful review.
Within the document, which was reviewed by Just the News, is a report from former FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tim Thibault.
The notes describe interviews with Steven Sullivan, chief financial officer at consulting firm Teneo, conducted in New York City.
Thibault wrote that Teneo appeared to act as a conduit for payments to Clinton, facilitated by Doug Band, a former aide to the president.
Lawmakers argue the information raises serious questions about how thoroughly Clinton’s post-presidential financial dealings were scrutinized.
Band, who served in the Clinton administration, maintained a central role in the former president’s activities after leaving office.
He coordinated Clinton’s paid speaking engagements and consulting arrangements while helping establish the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative.
Grassley emphasized that the memo explicitly references Clinton as the “President of the United States,” sparking questions about whether the bureau devoted equal attention to Clinton-related matters as it did to Trump-era investigations.
Teneo’s connections to the Clintons extend beyond the McAuliffe case.
According to records, Band encouraged clients to contribute to the Clinton Foundation, a practice some Republicans have criticized as a potential conflict of interest.
Other documents show Band managing Clinton’s consulting projects and paid engagements while Hillary Clinton served as secretary of state, illustrating the blending of private business and political influence in Clinton’s post-office activities.
McAuliffe, whose business dealings were reviewed for possible violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act before his 2014 gubernatorial election, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
His attorneys said the FBI examined his activities but maintained he did not lobby illegally on behalf of foreign governments.
Republicans contend that McAuliffe’s longstanding fundraising relationship with Clinton makes it crucial to understand whether the investigation was conducted impartially.
The memo’s release comes amid broader GOP concerns over potential selective enforcement in federal law enforcement.
Declassified memos from CIA Director John Ratcliffe revealed that former President Joe Biden blocked intelligence critical of Hunter Biden’s dealings in Ukraine.
Republicans argue these examples highlight a pattern in which Democrats may have received preferential treatment while Trump associates faced increased scrutiny.
Grassley and other congressional Republicans are demanding transparency and accountability in investigations involving Clinton.
They stress that probes into the former president and his associates must be handled with the same standards applied to all high-profile figures, warning that perceived political bias threatens public trust in the justice system.
