News
Steinbrenner helped FBI before winning pardon
Posted: May 9, 2011 3:17 PM by Gene Cotton
WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI released documents Monday stating that New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner assisted the agency in two investigations - one of them apparently a terrorism probe - in the years leading up to his pardon by President Ronald Reagan on a campaign-contributions conviction.
The Associated Press and other news organizations requested the FBI file under the Freedom of Information Act following Steinbrenner's death in July. The first release was made last December. The two releases combined totaled about 800 pages.
In a newly released 1988 FBI memo, the FBI said that it "supports the contention that George Steinbrenner has provided the FBI with valuable assistance."
Seven months later, Reagan pardoned Steinbrenner for his convictions in a case involving campaign donations to President Richard Nixon and other politicians.
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