Home Communities Politics House Ethics Committee reviewing charges against Rep. Chris Collins
Politics

House Ethics Committee reviewing charges against Rep. Chris Collins

Share
house ethics committee reviewing charges against rep chris collins
Share

The House Ethics Committee is reviewing allegations that Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) engaged in misconduct, four months after his personal investment practices came under scrutiny in the media.

Leaders of the Ethics Committee said they had “jointly decided to extend the matter” and plan to announce their course of action in October.

The announcement provided the first public confirmation that the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), an independent ethics monitor, investigated Collins and concluded that there is substantial reason to believe he violated the law, House rules or the code of conduct governing lawmakers.

The Ethics Committee, which received the OCE’s report July 14, said its review “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.” It did not provide details of the OCE’s investigation or describe the specific allegations against Collins.

The New York Republican, who has denied wrongdoing, received a barrage of negative headlines in April and May after the Daily Beast reported that he wrote legislation that would benefit a pharmaceutical company in which he held a substantial interest.

Collins’s involvement with Australian pharmaceutical company Innate Immunotherapeutics, including his participation in its initial public offering in late 2013, prompted Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-N.Y.) to introduce a bill designed to stop lawmakers from taking advantage of exclusive stock deals not available to the public.

The legislation would bar members of Congress from taking part in foreign IPOs or private-placement stock offerings. It would also stop them from purchasing stock at discounted prices.

A spokeswoman for Collins denied allegations of misconduct and accused Slaughter of engaging in a “partisan witch hunt.”

“Today’s announcement was expected and is nothing more than a pro forma delay because Congress is currently in its August recess,” Sarah Minkel said in an emailed statement. “Congressman Collins has followed all ethical and legal guidelines when it comes to his personal investments and he looks forward to their review.”

Slaughter’s bill has received heightened attention because former congressman Tom Price (R-Ga.), now secretary of health and human services, also invested in Innate Immunotherapeutics through questionable stock trades the legislation seeks to stop.

The Ethics Committee must make the OCE’s report public Oct. 12, unless it impanels an investigative subcommittee to explore the matter further.

The OCE, which has not confirmed its investigation of Collins, declined to comment because the matter is pending.

Share

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

Related Articles
Judge Jeanine Pirro Looked So Different Before All The Plastic Surgery
Celebrity newsPolitics

The Changing Face of Judge Jeanine Pirro: Then and Now

The passage of time and Judge Jeanine Pirro's heavy MAGA makeup probably...

The Absolute Worst-Dressed Attendees At Lauren Sanchez & Jeff Bezos' Wedding
PoliticsUnited States News

Worst Dressed at Lauren Sanchez & Jeff Bezos’ Wedding

It was a competition to see whether any guest could dress worse...

Paris Hilton's Shady Take On Trump's Notorious Tan Was Right On Target
PoliticsUnited States News

Paris Hilton’s Snarky Take on Trump’s Orange Glow Hits the Mark

Paris Hilton once claimed that she voted for Donald Trump, but she...

Melania's Response To Donald's Alleged Affairs? A Masterclass In Indifference
United States NewsPolitics

The Quiet Strength of Melania Trump: Navigating Scandal with Grace and Silence

Donald Trump and alleged affairs are certainly nothing new, but if they've...