Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), one of Donald Trump's earliest backers, has been arrested by the FBI on securities fraud related charges.
Attorneys for Collins released a statement, below, ahead of a news conference at 12 pm ET: “We are confident he will be completely vindicated and exonerated. Congressman Collins will have more to say on this issue later today.”
CNN reports: “New York Republican Rep. Chris Collins has been charged with alleged securities fraud, wire fraud and false statements, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. Collins, who was the first sitting member of Congress to endorse Trump's presidential bid, surrendered this morning at his attorney's office in Manhattan, according to the FBI.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j0HD3o38oA
EARLIER:
JUST IN: Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), Trump's earliest congressional backer, arrested by the FBI on securities fraud-related charges, via @jonathan4ny
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 8, 2018
The U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York announces insider trading charges against U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-New York, his son Cameron, and Stephen Zarsky, the father of Cameron's fiancée, "relating to securities of Innate Immunotherapeutics."
— Nathan Bomey (@NathanBomey) August 8, 2018
Western NY Congressman Chris Collins has been charged with insider trading by federal prosecutors in Manhattan
— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) August 8, 2018
Rep. Chris Collins, his son Cameron and Stephen Zarsky, the father of Cameron Collins's fiancée, have been charged with insider trading relating to securities of an Australian biotechnology company
— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) August 8, 2018
Statement from Rep. Collins' attorneys on his arrest today. They say they are “confident he will be completely vindicated and exonerated.” pic.twitter.com/cWyS2ph4sh
— Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) August 8, 2018
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