A major Clinton Foundation donor who gave at least $250,000 to the organization was granted a spot on a State Department intelligence board despite having no experience for the role.

Federal government emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by the political group Citizens United reveal details on the selection of Rajiv K. Fernando to the nuclear strategy board. All members obtain top secret clearances.

ABC News first reported Mr. Fernando’s role on Friday. The network said it approached him at the 2012 Democrat Convention about his appointment and was told by security that reporters would be “arrested” for approaching him.

The new emails show Clinton’s chief of staff, Cheryl Mills, played a key role in appointing the Chicago securities trader.

“The true answer is that [Secretary Clinton] staff [Cheryl Mills] added him. … Rai [sic] was not on the list sent to [Secretary Clinton]; he was added at their insistence,” an email reads.

Emails also show that Mrs. Mills told staff to “stall” for 24 hours when ABC first started asking questions about the appointment in 2011. Mr. Fernando submitted a resignation the very next day.

Mrs. Clinton’s campaign declined to comment on ABC’s story.

Others who served on the International Security Advisory Board include: David A. Kay, the former head of the Iraq Survey Group and United Nations Chief Weapons Inspector; Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, a former National Security Advisor to two presidents; and William Perry, the former Secretary of Defense.

“It is certainly a serious, knowledgeable and experienced group of experts,” said Bruce Blair, a Princeton professor whose research covers nuclear weapons policy, ABC reported. “Much of the focus has been on questions of nuclear stability and the risks of nuclear weapons use by Russia and Pakistan.”

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