FBI serves warrant on senator in investigation of stock sales linked to coronavirus
Source: L.A. Times
WASHINGTON
Federal agents seized a cellphone belonging to a prominent Republican senator on Wednesday night as part of the Justice Departments investigation into controversial stock trades he made as the coronavirus first struck the U.S., a law enforcement official said.
Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, turned over his phone to agents after they served a search warrant on the lawmaker at his residence in the Washington area, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a law enforcement action.
The seizure represents a significant escalation in the investigation into whether Burr violated a law preventing members of Congress from trading on insider information they have gleaned from their official work.
Burr sold a significant percentage of his stock portfolio in 33 different transactions on Feb. 13, just as his committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings and a week before the stock market declined sharply. Much of the stock was invested in businesses that in subsequent weeks were hit hard by the plunging market.
Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-05-13/fbi-serves-warrant-on-senator-stock-investigation
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,036 posts)DENVERPOPS
(8,844 posts)but what about that female senator who came out of the meeting and traded millions immediately.
Her husband is Chairman of the NYSE for crap's sake.........
pazzyanne
(6,556 posts)lastlib
(23,286 posts)DENVERPOPS
(8,844 posts)Even if she pleads guilty, and that would be like when hell freezes over, Trump and the RepubliCON Senators who all committed the exact same felonies that she did, would throw out charges against her just like Flynn, etc
Bend Over America, WASF
musette_sf
(10,206 posts)Leghorn21
(13,526 posts)Have yourself a shitty little night, BURR
lostnfound
(16,189 posts)Republicans would make list of three republican replacements, surely all terrible.
Democratic governor must select from the three.
Leghorn21
(13,526 posts)mtngirl47
(991 posts)However---I'm sick of these people getting away with these crimes. Lock him up.
Traildogbob
(8,797 posts)Meadows, Tillis, Burr, absentee ballot theft. They were not kidding when they said North Carolina was no longer a Democracy from Gerry meandering. A real political al shit hole state. May take dozens of Rev Barbers To get near normal morals.
littlemissmartypants
(22,797 posts)We actually elected a Democratic Governor and he's doing a laudable job.
Plus, more Democrats vote than any other affiliation in NC. Soon the gerrymandering will be useless to the Republicans.
Stay encouraged, Traildogbob.
❤ lmsp
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,036 posts)Traildogbob
(8,797 posts)Yes Cooper has been decent. It is Republican Congress trying night and day to destroy him. The 3 I listed are the worst of the worst. Their support disgusts me. We outvote them, but they keep stealing their positions. Trump flags everywhere here. From the poor to the extreme rich summer only dwellers. Gun shops, churches and dollar stores every quarter mile in every direction. Jesus signs on every gun shop, Saturation of Fox in public places. Even hospitals. Born and raised in N.C. Returned after service. 30 years as college faculty, state employee. Party mattered, and especially to my Grads that mostly went to county, state, and fed employment in Natmural Resources. I have had to be extremely politically aware all my life. Starting with war after high school. I love these mountains and natural beauty, but it is an every day fight to protect it from Republican thieves and crooks like Burr, Tillis and Meadows. I have fought my whole adult life. Starting with right to vote if you are drafted to die at 18. The daily attack on voting in N.C. is sickening to me and many in the state.
Takket
(21,625 posts)MFGsunny
(2,356 posts)https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-05-13/fbi-serves-warrant-on-senator-stock-investigation
Maybe dis-Barr ain't into Burr, or Burr ain't into dis-Barr.
littlemissmartypants
(22,797 posts)MFGsunny
(2,356 posts)47of74
(18,470 posts)I don't quite know why but this made me think of him.
Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)he didn't kiss Trump's ass or something, something..? I can't keep track anymore but didn't Drunk Gaetz call for an investigation of Burr for standing up to Trump at some point? Could be revenge time?
littlemissmartypants
(22,797 posts)Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)FarPoint
(12,437 posts)Night of the Living Dead?
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,600 posts)FarPoint
(12,437 posts)I grew-up in the same general neighborhood where they made this movie...Pittsburgh Pa. area...
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)C Moon
(12,221 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,192 posts)scarletwoman
(31,893 posts)"Obamagate" conspiracy theory.
William Barr's DOJ has no interest in punishing wrongdoing, this is strictly revenge.
Burr no doubt effed up with doing those stock trades, but that would have simply gone unnoted and unpunished if not for that Senate Intel Committee report.
Republican-Led Review Backs Intelligence Findings on Russian Interference
A new Senate report undercuts claims by President Trump and his allies that Obama-era officials sought to undermine him while investigating Russias 2016 election meddling.
Published April 21, 2020 ~ Updated April 22, 2020
WASHINGTON For years, President Trump has derided the assessment by American intelligence officials that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to assist his candidacy, dismissing it without evidence as the work of a deep state out to undermine his victory.
But on Tuesday, a long-awaited Senate review led by members of Mr. Trumps own party effectively undercut those allegations. A three-year review by the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously found that the intelligence community assessment, pinning blame on Russia and outlining its goals to undercut American democracy, was fundamentally sound and untainted by politics.
The I.C.A. reflects strong tradecraft, sound analytical reasoning and proper justification of disagreement in the one analytical line where it occurred, said Senator Richard M. Burr, Republican of North Carolina and the panels chairman. The committee found no reason to dispute the intelligence communitys conclusions.
The endorsement by Mr. Burrs committee comes at a key moment for the intelligence agencies. Not only has Mr. Trump moved in recent months to install a loyalist in the top spy position, but Attorney General William P. Barr has also blessed a broad review of possible misconduct by investigators examining the Trump campaigns contacts with Russia, apparently including work by intelligence officials.
Gothmog
(145,554 posts)Gothmog
(145,554 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,600 posts)Maxheader
(4,374 posts)Wingers are above the law..That's what the 28%ers like in theys leaders..rebelliousness .
Thumbing their noses at law. Without regard ..
bucolic_frolic
(43,281 posts)OMG there could be others - his cell will have calls to his broker, and perhaps other Republicans, or perhaps the broker has calls to other Republicans. It takes elite brokers to manage money for people at the top of their profession.
_____________________________________________________
Link to tweet
Tom Joseph
@TomJChicago
Seizing Sen Burrs cell phone is being speculated as retaliation to get him off the Intel Comm & stop the CI report from coming out.
Not so fast:
-His trades were blatant
-A judge signed off
-His cell may show the FBI fellow Rs he tipped off
This could get out of control for Rs
Link to tweet
Alison Greene
@GrassrootsSpeak
The FBI seized Sen. Richard Burrs cellphone as part of a Justice Department investigation into stock trades he made just before the novel coronavirus sent stock prices plunging. The Justice Department is examining Burrs communications with his broker.
Stuart G
(38,445 posts)...This is against the law...:
Burr sold a significant percentage of his stock portfolio in 33 different transactions on Feb. 13, just as his committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings and a week before the stock market declined sharply. Much of the stock was invested in businesses that in subsequent weeks were hit hard by the plunging market.
Here is Burr breaking the law:
The seizure represents a significant escalation in the investigation into whether Burr violated a law preventing members of Congress from trading on insider information they have gleaned from their official work.
.................very important................................................................
I guess the FBI doesn't think Burr is above the law...
..............................................................................................................
.... I wonder what a jury will decide? (after all the facts are presented in a trial)..And there will be a trial. (I guess a conviction)..Do you think ex senator Burr will like the inside of a federal jail cell?...just asking, I know the answer.
AntiFascist
(12,792 posts)is it possible that a Democrat could be appointed in case Burr gets expelled or resigns?