Hillary Clinton’s Latest Email Release Includes English Soccer Connection
Photo by Ethan Miller/GettyThe latest batch of HIllary Clinton related emails includes a connection to the world of soccer.
The heavily redacted emails were released Monday after a watchdog organization filed a lawsuit and a Freedom of Information Act request went unanswered. One of those email exchanges features a conversation between sports marketing executive Casey Wasserman, Clinton Foundation executive Douglas Band and Huma Adedin, one of Secretary Clinton’s top aides at the State Department.
Based on the emails which were sent in May of 2009, Wasserman’s client—an unnamed Wolverhampton FC player—wanted to visit Las Vegas for a “celebration break.” However, his criminal record meant the player was unable to get the needed travel papers approved. Wasserman had attempted to secure an interview for the player at the US Embassy in London in order to move the process forward, but hit some road blocks. His first emails were to Band, who later involved Adebin. The exchange ends with Abedin stating that she was “nervous to get involved, but (will) ask,” and Band responding “(t)hen don’t.”
In a statement, a Wasserman representative has said that no visa was issued, but did not mention whether an interview at the embassy had been granted.
The sense of impropriety comes into play with the knowledge that Wasserman is also the president of the Wasserman Foundation, a charitable organization that has donated $5-10 million to the Clinton Foundation.
Wolverhampton FC of course had great reason to celebrate in May of 2009, as they had just finished at the top of the Championship and been promoted back to the Premier League. While the player’s name was redacted in the emails, at least one player, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, had been charged with a crime after an incident with a doorman in 2008. Ebanks-Blake scored 25 goals in 41 league appearances during the 2008-09 season.
The full email text is below:
From: Tim Hoy [VP Wasserman Media Group]
Date: Tue. 5 May 2009 10:45:55 – 0700
To: Casey Wasserman
Subject: [Redacted] Wolverhampton FC/visa matter