Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Investigation of Collins Stock Trades Takes Serious Turn with Referral to House Panel


WASHINGTON – The ethics investigation into Rep. Chris Collins and his stock trades took a serious turn Monday, as the House Committee on Ethics confirmed that it is probing the matter and will continue to do so until at least mid-October.

The ethics panel said in a news release it received a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics – an independent investigative body – regarding Collins on July 14.

The Office of Congressional Ethics makes such referrals in less than 40 percent of cases it investigates, and according to the office's rules, it does so only when it has "substantial reason to believe” that a violation of law or House rules may have occurred.

In its statement, the House Ethics Committee said it would – as it can under law – take another 45 days to continue an investigation into Collins' alleged actions. The committee said it would announce its course of action regarding Collins on or before Oct. 12.

Neither the Office of Congressional Ethics nor the House Ethics Committee would offer further comment on the investigation, which stems from Collins' investment in an Australian biotech firm called Innate Immunotherapeutics and his habit of touting the company's stock to fellow members of Congress as well as prominent Buffalo-area residents.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: The Buffalo News (via The Empire Report) 

No comments: