Revealed: Clinton charity oversaw cash commitment to company partly owned by Bill's blonde friend – and the ex-president even asked for federal aid for it

  • Commitment under Clinton Global Initiative was for $2 million to Energy Pioneer Solutions in 2010
  • Company was part owned by Julie McMahon, who describes herself as 'close personal friend' of Bill Clinton's
  • She has previously denied being romantically involved with him 
  • The for-profit company helps people save energy by weatherizing their homes
  • It's just the latest headache assorted Clinton enterprises have given to wife Hillary Clinton's campaign

Bill Clinton's family charity foundation oversaw an unusual $2 million financial commitment to a private company whose ownership is stocked with close Clinton pals including 'family friend' Julie Tauber McMahon, a new bombshell report has revealed.

The financial commitment came at the 2010 conference of the Clinton Global Initiative, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a document from the time and people familiar with the matter.

The pledged cash commitment went to Energy Pioneer Solutions, a private company that insulates private homes and allows people to pay for costs on their energy bills.

In another boost for the firm, Clinton personally intervened with then Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, the paper reported. The feds gave the company an $812,000 grant, the Energy Department said on its web site.

McMahon, 56, has a a 29 percent stake in the company. 

She lives, like the Clintons, in Chappaqua. She has denied being romantically involved with the former president.

She described herself to the Journal in the story posted Thursday afternoon as 'a family friend.'

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The Clinton Global Initiative oversaw a grant to a private company doing energy projects owned by several people who are close to Bill Clinton

Julie Tauber McMahon is a 29 percent owner, and calls herself a Clinton 'family friend'

Julie Tauber McMahon is a 29 percent owner, and calls herself a Clinton 'family friend'

Other owners are also have close Clinton ties.

'President Clinton counts many CGI participants as friends,' his spokesman, Angel Urena, told DailyMail.com.

The commitment came as part of CGI's annual meeting and gab-fest, where honchos in government and industry commit to various projects meant to improve causes ranging from good governance to the environment. It differs from a flat-out contribution from the charity, which links donors to causes and investments.

Canadian philanthropist Kim Samuel made the $2 million commitment, although her spokesman told the paper at the end of the day she kicked in just $500,000.

Craig Minassian, a Clinton Foundation spokesman, said there was nothing improper about people who know President Clinton making such commitments.

'If president Clinton knows people can they not make a CGI commitment? He's not telling them what to do. There are 3,400 of these things,' he told DailyMail.com, using a figure from the 2010 conference.

He added: 'A CGI member makes a commitment either to partner with other people or to invest. That is not a foundation commitment. The whole idea of CGI is a marketplace. We put forward hundreds of commitments a year.'

Bundle up: the U.S. Energy Department gave the firm a grant

Bundle up: the U.S. Energy Department gave the firm a grant

Energizer: Energy Pioneer Solutions hailed the grant as a way to help families cut utility costs

Energizer: Energy Pioneer Solutions hailed the grant as a way to help families cut utility costs

Among the other owners of the company is Scott Kleeb, a Democrat who ran for Congress in Nebraska. Kleeb hailed the federal grant after it was awarded, saying it would allow the company to audit and retrofit 250 homes as part of an energy-saving weatherization program.

He said it would help families in Hastings, Nebraska to retrofit, 'saving the city energy while decreasing families' utility costs.' He isn't thought to be particularly close to Clinton.

A third owner is Jane Eckert, an art gallery owner in Pine Plains, New York.

Minority owners include longtime treasurer to the Democratic National Committee Andrew Tobias and Mark Weiner, who has a company that makes souvenir equipment for political campaigns. Both have been Clinton Foundation donors.

The National Enquirer published McMahon's identity in 2014, and claimed she and Clinton had had 'year's worth' of trysts, citing an anonymous family member. It noted that she has denied having a sexual relationship with Clinton, although it quoted a 'family member' who claimed the rumors were true.

'It became a running joke in the family,' the tabloid reported, citing an insider from a 2011 interview. 'If Clinton traveled to London, we'd learn Julie was also visiting London. When Clinton went to France, we'd discover Julie was also in France.'

Ronald Kessler had alleged in his book, 'The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of the Presidents,' that Clinton was carrying on with a 'buxom blonde mistress' who Secret Service agents dubbed the 'Energizer,' without identifying her. 

McMahon didn't immediately return a call from DailyMail.com seeking comment Thursday.

The Clinton Global Initiative says the commitment was made available on CGI's web site and can be viewed on Youtube footage of the 2010 event.

In it together: Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton all have had roles in the Clinton foundation, and in Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign

In it together: Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton all have had roles in the Clinton foundation, and in Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign

The Journal reported that the commitment was taken down later. 'The reason was to avoid calling attention to Mr. Clinton’s friendship with one company co-owner, Ms. McMahon, and to protect the integrity of Mr. Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative, according to people familiar with the matter,' the paper wrote, without further explanation.

The Clinton Foundation provided a detailed response to the Journal story.

'President Clinton has established many friendships and professional connections throughout his career in public service. It is not surprising that many of the same people who have worked with him to make a difference and improve the world would continue their work through CGI. President Clinton is not involved in this company,' according to the response. 'No CGI or Clinton Foundation funding goes into commitments.'

The response also listed other commitments to private companies. One was an additional grant from Andrew Tobias, who is also a CGI donor. He made a $100,000 commitment in 2006 to a firm trying to manufacture lightweight composite parts for cars.