Longtime Hillary Clinton ally Sidney Blumenthal found himself besieged with questions Thursday on CNBC over the Clinton Foundation and pay-for-play allegations while she was secretary of state.
Donors who contributed to the Clinton Foundation have been found to receive perks during Clinton's four years as Secretary of State. Allegations of fraud toward the Foundation have been made as well.
Blumenthal was pressed by Squawk Box co-host Joe Kernen on his Libyan business ties while he simultaneously advised Clinton.
"So you couldn't really join the State Department, and I don't know whether that was just because of bad blood between you and the Obama administration or whatever it was, but then you're representing some clients in Libya, but still able to influence the Secretary of State and on the payroll of the Clinton Foundation," Kernen said. "Is that all aboveboard? Does it just look bad ... or is there something there that's unethical?"
"Well, that's not really an accurate representation of what happened. But let me just say I testified before the Benghazi Committee," Blumenthal said. "I answered all their questions."
"It wasn't televised but they said it was very cordial testimony," Kernen said.
Blumenthal was then asked whether the Clinton Foundation's donations influenced the activities of State Department.
"You weren't getting paid by Libya?" co-host Michelle Caruso-Cabrera asked.
"No," Blumenthal said.
"Should we think that there was ever influence in State Department affairs that were influenced by donations to the Clinton Foundation?" Kernen said. "I don't know whether we've totally vetted whether ... it certainly has the aura of perhaps there's something untoward, or at least certain people think that in certain circles."
"Well, I think that the reports show that there were not donations to the Clinton Foundation that had any influence on State Department policy. And, you know, about the Benghazi Committee, I have urged for the release of my transcript," Blumenthal said. "I have always urged for it. So, I want it to be completely public."
"How would we know that donations wouldn't affect policy? I mean—" Caruso-Cabrera said.
"How would you know?" Blumenthal said.
"Yeah," Caruso-Cabrera said.
"Well, I think that there have been some examples that have been reported, and in the Times and they have been debunked," Blumenthal said.