Obama, Clinton Fundraiser Appointed to National Security Panel

[Valin]

ABC News:

BRIAN ROSS MATTHEW MOSK MEGAN CHUCHMACH

9/5/12

 

For one of President Obama's top fundraisers, the appointment last year to an elite group of State Department security advisors appeared to be an odd fit.

 

Rajiv Fernando, a Chicago securities trader, has never touted any international security credentials, yet he was appointed alongside an august collection of nuclear scientists, former cabinet secretaries and members of Congress to advise Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on crucial security matters.

 

One current member of the International Security Advisory Board told ABC News that none of the other members could figure out who Fernando was or why he was there.

 

Fernando, president of Chopper Trading, has distinguished himself in one way, though. He is one of the most prolific bundlers of campaign contributions for President Obama's reelection, raising more than $500,000 this cycle. Prior to his State Department appointment, Fernando gave between $100,000 and $250,000 to the William J. Clinton Foundation, and another $30,000 to a political advocacy group, WomenCount, that has indirectly helped Hillary Clinton retire her lingering campaign debts.

 

(Snip)