Report: At State, Clinton met with a number of foundation donors
A majority of the 154 people from private interests who were scheduled to have calls or meetings with Hillary Clinton while she was secretary of State also donated to the Clinton Foundation, according to calendars reviewed by The Associated Press.
Those 85 people who met with Clinton gave a combined $156 million to the foundation, either personally or by way of a company or other organization, AP reports. Nearly one-half of those donors gave at least $100,000, and 20 people donated more than $1 million, according to the AP.
The AP report stated that the meetings do not seem to be against the law, and it is not clear on the timeline when the donations were made and when people had access to Clinton.
However, the finding comes at a time of increased scrutiny over the relationship between donors and employees of the Clinton Foundation and the State Department.
Critics say Clinton provided "access" and "favors" while she was secretary, but experts interviewed by USA TODAY, so far, say the "favors" part still hasn't been proven.
After the AP reported the story, the Trump campaign released a statement from vice presidential candidate Mike Pence, which echoed Trump's call to close down the Clinton Foundation and for Clinton to be investigated by a special prosecutor.
"The fact Hillary Clinton’s official schedule was full of meetings with Clinton Foundation donors is further evidence of the pay-to-play politics at her State Department," Pence said. "No one is above the law. The Clinton Foundation must be immediately shut down and an independent special prosecutor be appointed to determine if access to Hillary Clinton was for sale. It would be a dereliction of duty by President Obama and his Justice Department if they fail to act on these startling new facts right now."