The federal probe of a possible votes-for-clemency deal in New Square may put disgraced Hillary Clinton pal and ex-Democratic powerbroker Paul Adler under a spotlight, sources said.
Adler, the ex-Rockland County Democratic Party head, was a key player in pushing for clemency for four jailed men from the Hasidic village of New Square, several sources have said.
Last week, The Post reported Manhattan U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White is widening her criminal probe of Bill Clinton’s pardon of financier Marc Rich to include the New Square men.
Law-enforcement and Jewish sources have suggested Adler may be the most important person for White to press for information.
“Adler was the first person I thought of when I heard about White” expanding the probe, said one source, who is not directly involved with the investigation but is familiar with the New Square matter.
“If anyone knows about what happened in New Square, it would be Paul Adler.”
The onetime party bigwig – and close adviser to Clinton’s Senate campaign – was at the crest of his political power when he was indicted in September on federal corruption and tax-fraud charges. He pleaded guilty Monday, and faces up to two years in prison at his May sentencing.
Adler lawyer Murray Richman said his client had “absolutely nothing to do with” the New Square commutations and hadn’t been contacted by White.
A White spokesman declined comment.
Virtually all of New Square voted for Mrs. Clinton over rival Rick Lazio – after the community’s leaders believed she would support clemency for four men convicted in 1999 of taking federal education grants for a sham Jewish school, sources said.
Their sentences, which ranged from 30 to 78 months, were cut to 24 to 30 months.
On Dec. 22, Mrs. Clinton arranged and attended a White House meeting with the former president and village religious leader Rabbi David Twersky where clemency was discussed.
Sources said Adler and others also lobbied Mrs. Clinton for the commuted sentences before election day.
A close ally of Mrs. Clinton during the Senate race, Adler hosted her at his home during her 1999 “listening tour.” He also once stayed in the Lincoln Bedroom.
Last August, candidate Clinton stumped in New Square and held a private meeting with Twersky and his wife. One source said Adler attended the sit-down.
On Jan. 20, when the pardon list came down, Adler rushed to New Square to deliver the good news, sources said.
Richman denied that was the case.
“I can assure you, he was not there at all,” Richman said, insisting Adler was only in New Square with Mrs. Clinton once – on Sept. 11.
“He has not been to New Square in any capacity whatsoever since,” he said.