Grameen money ‘paid from president’s pocket’

In a press release, the co-founder and founding president of Grameen America said all money paid to the foundation was out of his own pocket, through the organisation, to serve organisational needs. “The AP article says Grameen America gave between $100,000 and $250,000 to the foundation and Grameen Research donated between $25,000 and $50,000,” he said. Hillary Clinton was the US secretary of state at that time. Dr Yunus is the chairman of Grameen America. “All payments made to the Clinton Foundation by Grameen America or Grameen Research were funds supplied by me personally for my personal admission to the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting every September in New York,” Jorgensen claimed. He said the large figures shown in the AP story were nine years’ worth of CGI attendance fees added up. Jorgensen said his payments to the Clinton Foundation were not linked to Yunus. “Prof Yunus was always a speaking guest of the CGI meetings and did not need to pay any admission fee and in no cases was any payment made by me or any Grameen organisation for him to attend,” the release said.