Is there more to know about the controversial pardon of the fugitive financier Marc Rich?

The most controversial pardons tend to be the last-minute ones.

Smith received a presidential pardon in 2009, one of 140 controversial pardons Clinton issued on his last day of his presidency.

Green received a controversial presidential pardon, along with Marc Rich, from United States President Bill Clinton in 2001.

But suppose it's an election year, and the president can't risk granting a controversial pardon in the midst of the campaign.

The controversial pardon was granted after Dodd lobbied Clinton on Downe's behalf.

The join-'em strategy means: Refrain from controversial pre-emptive pardons.

Another controversial pardon was that of Dan Tartagă-a businessman from Brașov that, while drunk, had run over and killed two people on a pedestrian crossing.

The most controversial pardons went to Marc Rich and his partner, Pincus Green.

And other presidents, notably George Bush, handed out controversial pardons in the waning hours of their administrations.