"A senior Democratic senator is calling for an investigation into potential insider trading by fossil-fuel billionaires close to the Trump administration, after a Guardian investigation raised questions about an unusual share buying spree. Robert Pender and Michael Sabel, the founders and co-chairs of Venture Global, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company headquartered in Virginia, bought more than a million shares worth almost $12m each, just days after meeting with senior Trump officials in March."
"The meeting included Chris Wright, the energy secretary, who days later granted the company an export license essential for its expansion plans in Europe, the Guardian reported last week. Dirty oil and gas bucks are fueling the Trump Administration, which should outrage all of us. This latest reporting portrays a pattern of pay-to-play donations and favorable actions by the administration, said Jeff Merkley, senator for Oregon and senior member of the Senate appropriations and budget committees."
"In response to the findings, a spokesperson for Venture Global said the share acquisitions fully complied with SEC rules and regulations and the company strictly adhered to all laws, rules and regulations relating to our interactions with government officials. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said: The president has never engaged, and will never engage, in conflicts of interest."
Senator Jeff Merkley called for an investigation into potential insider trading and conflicts of interest after Robert Pender and Michael Sabel, Venture Global founders, bought over a million shares at nearly $12m each days after meeting senior Trump officials. The meeting included Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who days later granted the company an export license critical for its European expansion. The founders took the company public three days after Trump's inauguration and were top donors, including a $1m inauguration contribution. Venture Global asserted full compliance with SEC rules and legal requirements for government interactions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied any presidential conflicts of interest.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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