Coverage of national and international news, including breaking stories. 2016. He was a very close ally of tom price, instrumental in price being chosen as Hhs Secretary. You know price has since left that post. Collins attorneys have released an official statement saying quote, we will answer the charges filed against Congress Collins in court. And will mount a vigorous defense to clear his good name. It is notable that even the government does not allege that congress man collins traded a single share of innate therapeutic stock. We are confident hell be completely vindicated and exonerated. The complaint also alleged that collins was at the white house attending the Congressional Picnic when he conducted some of the activity that led to the Insider Trading charges. This one is extraordinary for me. Hes nots just being investigated. Hes not just being charged. He was arrested. They knocked on his door and arrested him. A serving congressman. Wow. Joining me now nbc news
investigation
investigations reporter tom winter live on the phone and former u.s. attorney for the district of new york. how does this go down? well, stephanie, as you said and as the diindictment says, t congressman was at the white house for a congressional picnic and apparently, according to the dime he received information he s on the board of directors of this immunotherapeutics, a company out of australia and received information that a drug trial was not going as well. as a matter of fact a completely clinny cal failure. according to the indictment he picked up the phone and calls his son. stock had been held pending news in australia, meaning no shares could be traded in australia, which is where the congressman had all of his shares. however, his son and several relatives and associates of his had their shares held in the united states. they were traded over the