Representative Collins is an oxymoron: I live in his district. He frequently states that he responds to his constituents. This is code "if they're Republicans". He rarely held Town Halls. He did answer emails but with mealy-mouthed talking points that espoused his view only. When Congress tells us to "Call your Representative!", I haven't felt that was a good idea for an awfully long time because, before Collins, our Rep was his twin, Tom Reed. Our district needs to elect someone who actually knows what "Representative" means!
2
Most members of Congress go in middle class and leave rich. Insider trading is rampant both in government and in connected society in general. What is rare is a prosecution. So how was it decided to go after Collins. There were thousands of potential targets for investigation. If we investigated and prosecuted everyone who engaged in insider trading, most of Wall Street and our political class would be in jail. So why only Collins?
8
Martha Stewart does 5 months in jail for a mere $27,000 Collins and Company better do a whole lot more than that. And he should have to give up his cushy pension.
No slap on the wrist, no fine, but jail time just like Martha.
8
I’m afraid this shows how divided our country is along political lines. The man was voted into office by Republicans who must be so blind to reality that they will ignore a pending felony conviction. The facts were clear and yet they were so hateful of Democratic candidates that they would vote this guy back into office.
Do you think that anyone will learn after having basically been made a shill for this corrupt and dishonest Republican?
Our founding fathers didn’t get this one thing right: we are not capable of electing our own representation.
6
I was pressured to book Collins as a conference speaker in early 2017 and flatly refused. I even called him a crook at the time. Never happier to have done so.
8
I'm certainly no fan of Collins, but it would be tough to know of something that will cost your son half a million dollars if you keep it from him. How many of us keep silent and watch our son or daughter experience possible financial ruin?
They should have had enough common sense not to both invest in the same company. Simply avoid the possible conflict of interest. This was when the error in judgment was made.
3
@Billy from Brooklyn I would keep silent and not break the law for anyone--including family members. Investing can be a gamble and they made their decision. They were simply unwilling to live with consequences of that decision and chose an illegal path when things went sour. I have no sympathy for them.
5
One indicted felon down, one to go.
Now Duncan Hunter just has to resign and the GOP won't have anyone under indictment in the House of Representatives.
They'd have one in the White House except for the OLC opinion about not indicting a sitting president. Of course, that opinion has never been tested.
Maybe it's time...
13
The good citizens of Collin's congressional district voted to keep him in office despite the serious fraud allegations. As such, they deserve to go unrepresented in Congress, at least until January 2021.
12
I have photographed a lot of people in my life and that is not a happy camper pictured in this article. And I can't help but notice that the only news station there to interview is FOX News.
At least he wasn't photographed wearing Ivanka knockoffs and Stormy Daniels brand of lingerie.
4
@tom Harrison
He shouldn't be happy he broke the law.
I'm sure that they're all so very sorry (that they got caught).
7
"Mr. Collins, 69, the first sitting member of Congress to endorse President Trump in 2016 ..."
Birds of a feather flock together.
14
Resigning in disgrace. Was it worth the money?
6
This case was a slam dunk from the beginning and still this beauty ran for office and people voted for him.
There is a solid percentage of Republican voters who would vote for anyone, no matter what, that was not a Democrat.
10
re first sitting member of Congress to endorse Trump:
How fitting.
And the second member of the House to do so was Duncan Hunter, who also is under federal indictment.
Corruption attracts more corruption, compounds itself and keeps betraying the public trust. Personifying that relentless dynamic more than anyone else is Donald Trump.
13
If he was allowed to trade resignation by the Prosecutor (a Trump US attorney appointment?) for a lighter sentence than that is a total sham of justice that should be investigated.
6
So Collins - essentially a crook - was on the board of an Australian company even while he served as a representative in the USA Congress. There should be a law that says no USA citizen should sit on the board of any foreign company and no foreigner sit on the board of a USA company. It's an issue of conflicted interests as I see it.
6
As someone who lives in NY-27, I am delighted that Chris Collins is finally leaving. I have been waiting for this day for a long time.
The problem though, is that the Republicans will replace him with another Trump devotee who will carry on their "conservative values" agenda. I am hoping that Democrat Nate McMurray will win this time around, but it is a long shot.
32
@NYReader
What is wrong with the voters of NY-27 ?
3
@Socrates - The 27th district was "gerrymandered" a few years ago. It now encompasses a large area of rural western NY with a few (prosperous) towns in Monroe Co. and Ontario Co. that have been added to the mix.
Mr. Collins.
"Birds of a feather, flock together"
Farewell, So Long, Auf Wiedersehen ... I hope to say the same, in November 2020 again.
I campaigned for Nate MacMurray last year, and will continue to support him as the Democratic candidate. He has a moral compass that will weather this storm.
29
Why wasn't this plea bargain and resignation taken care of in time that the special election could have been held at this year's general election for local-level offices on November 6? Now either an expensive special election in the dead of an upstate winter will have to be held, or, more likely, the seat will be left vacant until the general election in November of 2020.
I live in the Rochester district next door. Our very elderly and frail previous incumbent, Louise Slaughter, ran again in 2016, then died in March of 2018. The state administration left the seat vacant until the November election, apparently so that the Democrats could have the luxury of a four-way primary election in the meantime.
The previous time that the Monroe County seat fell vacant, in 1910, the incumbent died on March 11, and a special general election was held on April 19, filling the seat in less than six weeks. Progress is wonderful.
7
@peter
Convicted felon Collins delayed this process until he finally changed his plea and accepted the plea deal.
Convicted felon Collins is the specific person to blame, and golly gee whiz, he isn't a Democrat, is he?
1
Hey, for Collins it's a no-brainer decision.
Plead guilty and get a quick conviction and then hope that the Donald remains in office long enough to grant a pardon.
21
The first Republican to endorse Trump, huh? Go figure. I guess it takes one to know one. I'd like to think Trump will now follow Collins' lead in that when faced with irrefutable evidence of his crimes and extreme pressure from his party, he resigned. Something tells me Trump won't do this, however, and it's looking like the party is too corrupt to pressure Trump either... too bad for us all.
24
Let us see how many decades long his prison sentence will be.
3
@Candlewick
Better be longer that what Martha Stewart got for her conviction. Otherwise it's a travesty. Stewart also lost her company due to her conviction.
2
How utterly fitting that, as mentioned, the corrupt and soon to be convicted Collins was the first siting member of Congress to endorse the corrupt Trump for President. Next up, the equally corrupt and similarly indicted Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter from California, also a Trump acolyte. Birds of a feather, steal together.
22
No way he stole more money than Trump with his market manipulating tweets.
9
While at least ssomeone is trying to drain the swamp. He would have fit in real well by tkng a cabinet post in the Trumpster administration.
3
I’m quite sure POTUS will pardon Collins.
5
don't you love that the committee to re-elect Nixon was known as CREEP? this is collins and hunter, and probably every repub out there. but i don't see dems as much better. they are all lining their pockets, starting w/ pelosi.
1
The fact that this criminal was reelected in 2018 speaks volumes about the morals and integrity of Republican voters.
28
No one could fill the airwaves for five minutes saying nothing like Chris Collins.
7
Just a splatter of sprinkles on the icing on the proverbial corrupt cake
5
A liar.
A cheat.
A Trump supporter.
But I keep repeating myself.
34
Nothing new here. Just another despicable person doing the Republican thing.
20
Like the Trumpster, Rep. Collins misbehavior seems consistent with his endorsement of Trumpster and with his placing his personal and family interests ahead of his Constitutional responsibilities to his constituents.
21
The breadth and depth of the Republican swamp is breath-taking. I wonder what kind of deal Trump is going to try to cut before his impeachment. No doubt he will ask for immunity from Criminal prosecution after he resigns from office along with trying to protect his family.
17
While downtown Buffalo is in the midst of something of a comeback, rural western New York remains firmly in the doldrums and has been for decades. The region is desperately in need of competent, ethical, foreword thinking leadership which makes the skullduggery of Collins all the more disheartening. Yet to tolerate much less re-elect such a grifter it is clear that so many wounds are self-inflicted.
43
Within 12 months donald will do the same to save what is left of the fake trump empire. Poor kushners will have to live in exile.
10
"Collin's district voted for President Trump over Hillary Clinton by a margin of almost 25 points."
Take a bow, New York's 27th congressional district !
You really like your political crooks !
Heckuva job, GOP voters.
Nice GOPeople.
123
@Socrates Yeah, these are my neighbours. Sigh. It includes the Niagara Falls area which are mostly Democrats. And we have some close friends who are liberal but most of them are Republicans. Some I've talked and have a good idea of why they voted for Trump but I'm more progressive than Sanders so it doesn't go anywhere but it's all group think.
5
@Socrates Let's see what the record is in this district. Reynolds resigned related to the abuse of congressional pages on his watch, then Lee resigned for showing his body on the internet while married, now Collins has resigned for insider trading. The only one who didn't resign is now Lt Governor Hochul. For those not aware, Reynolds, Lee and Collins are Republicans. Hochul is a Democrat. Anyone see a pattern here?
23
I’ve been called a witch, and nobody’s hunting me. What’s up with that ??? Sending my thoughts and prayers.
21
“What do you mean grandpa is a corrupt politician mom?”
“Shut up and steer the yacht.”
50
one can only hope that the charges Chris Collins faces are state rather than federal, as who knows if somewhere down the road his buddie #45 will give him a pardon as he exits the door left. I believe that when #45 finally sees the writing on the wall, issues pardons to a bunch of his fellow comrades.
9
@Ricky, nope he's facing federal charges.
2
Like we used to say in fourth grade, "good riddance to bad rubbish." Funny how sad and sorry the soon to be ex-Congressman looks in the photo. Back when he won his seat in 2018, he wore this smug smile like he thought he got away with that little bit of family insider trading. I'd ask who gets the last laugh here, but it's just another sign of sign how corrupt these characters are.
13
The Republican Party signed the Trump Tax Increase of 2017 with zero Democratic involvement at all. They wrote it with lobbyists at the trough, with zero public input, with zero public process. Chris Collins was one of the few New Yorkers who approved this measure, that stole from New Yorkers.
Donald Trump signed it into law. And we are now running $1 Trillion annual deficits.
We now know, with 20/20 hindsight, that it removed most taxes on corporations. And it removed most of the SALT deductions that allowed citizens of high tax states, like New York, to not have to double pay on our real estate taxes.
New York State should have ZERO Republican Congresspeople. Same with New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California. We are close, but not there yet.
We need to replace the felon Chris Collins with a Democrat. We need to make certain that there are NO Republicans to any longer steal money from tax paying Americans and give it to corporations.
28
@Ben Fingers Crossed! This is the part of NY where you see Confederate Flags on pick up trucks! I am NOT joking.
8
@Ben Don't forget Tom Reed NY 23. Another republican that voted for the tax cut. I emailed him some time ago asking why in the world did he vote for a tax for the wealthy. You guessed it, not reply.
11
This is the same guy who, when indicted, went on all the TV news shows proclaiming his absolute innocence and that the charges were political payback for supporting Trump. Lo and behold, at the end of the day - he admits to the crime. Just another Trumpster taking his trip to the Dumpster of History! Soon to be followed by his mentor.
53
@Joe. Collins: "I'll fight these charges with every last dime of your money". I guess it dawned on him that his supporters no longer send any dimes.
12
I truly hope that there is serious jail time for his offense. Mr. Collins new of his deeds and still ran for Congress. His indignation of pleading "not guilty" was a sham. And, now he will beg for mercy from the courts. He'll probably have a tear in his eye, saying he's sorry while other stock holders lost a small fortune. Just another white collar crime without having to really pay for his crime. But, this is a crime from a person who swore an oath to the Constitution to hold all that is dear. Mr. Collins lied when he ran for Congress in 2018. there should be consequences, hopefully more than 2 weeks in federal prison.
18
Hey republicans, more fake news?
Tell that to Mr. Collins as he sits in prison and pays his penalties.
15
Didn’t they deny all charges and say it was “political”, a “witch hunt”?
Hmmm? Is there a decent republican out there?
18
@Lynne In this district the last 3 Republicans have had to resign. So the answer to your question seems to be "no".
23
Recall the video/photo of Chris Collins standing on the White House lawn with phone to ear committing his criminal acts, with Jared strolling by in front of him. It so aptly encapsulates all that this Administration is: liars, crooks, thieves.
25
When politicians want to enrich your offspring they can do it legally
Chris Collins was just dumb. He ought to have studied the Clintons
From the NY Times:
“Handicapping IAC’s Investment in Chelsea Clinton”
Chelsea Clinton as a corporate director? Really?
Ms. Clinton was appointed last week to the board of IAC/interActiveCorp, the Internet media conglomerate controlled by Barry Diller.
For her efforts, Ms. Clinton will be paid about $300,000 a year in cash and incentive stock awards.
Not bad for a 31-year-old in graduate school.
NY TImes OCTOBER 4, 2011
From the LA Times
"Why did NBC reportedly pay Chelsea Clinton $600,000 a year?"
The disclosure raises the obvious question of NBC's goal in giving a person without any measurable journalistic
or broadcasting experience .. The answer is equally obvious. Plainly, it was done to curry favor with the Clinton family
LA Time, JUN 16, 2014 | 12:08 PM
3
@John Isn't Fox News full of political hacks without any previous or measurable broadcasting experience. Nice bit of 'whataboutism' to distract from the case in point.
9
@John Of course, but all legal. Capitalism at it's finest.
2
@John: Straight out of the Republican Playbook, 2019: a little innuendo goes a long way to distract and confuse.
There haven't been any reports that Clinton has engaged in insider trading or other criminal activity, as Collins has. Ex-government officials, ex-military, wealthy people, et al., including many Republicans, are commonly appointed to corporate boards. I'd guess that the majority of corporate board members in the US belong to the Republican Party, and I doubt that many of them have the credentials that Chelsea Clinton has, now including degrees from Stanford, Oxford, and Columbia.
If you have any evidence of a crime, feel free to produce it.
In the meanwhile, try to understand. Collins wasn't indicted for "currying favor", he was indicted for insider trading. The difference: one's a crime, the other isn't. And besides that, you don't even have any evidence that IAC managed to gain any unfair advantage with the government due to Clinton's appointment.
Totally irrelevant.
11
Bad guy but extrapolating his crime to the entire Republican Party is a major fail in logical thinking. Plenary of dirty Democrats out there too. Sheldon Silver, anyone?
1
@KitKat: Just start with the Trump cabinet and other high level appointees: the number who have resigned due to graft and corruption has dwarfed all previous administrations. True, it's not all Republicans; it's just the Republicans who support Trump.
That's most of them, right?
5
POTUS take note: "Mr. Collins had faced intense pressure from members of his own party to not seek re-election after his indictment last August. " Maybe Republicans don't want to die on your hill either.
Only downside for Dems is that this seat is probably not in play in 2020.
12
The party of family values strikes again.
31
Nate McMurray almost beat him in 2018 after his crimes were discovered even though this district was gerrymandered to be one of the reddest in NY State.
As Erie County executive he lasted one term and one was of the most loathed local politicians I can remember, not only with voters but with anyone who had to work with him. If NY 27 hadn’t been willing to vote in 2016 for anyone with an R next to their name he could not possibly have won a congressional seat...he is just an awful awful person. Most of WNY is delighted by this news.
26
@Karen. He wouldn't talk to voters unless they ponyed up cash first. He rarely answered letters. He mostly represented himself.
9
How is Trump not being investigated for insider trading? He loves to manipulate the markets through tweets.
14
I wonder what “Club Med” prison he will get reservation in. The sad thing is his crime is probably the least offensive of all the other republicans holding office now have committed . And especially any crimes his mentor has done.
6
If I may quote the Trump 2016 campaign, "LOCK HIM UP!"
One more holier-than-thou Republican hypocrite.
26
You have to contemplate the obvious questions;
Why is a "Southern District of New York" handling a western New York case? Is there a western New York federal prosecutors office? Who are the political prosecutors downstate and why did they focus on Collins?
It look's like the name game.
@PATRICK
This is relevant because...?
1
@Patrick
You do realize that where a person commits a crime and where that person lives can be two different places, right? Just wondering...
12
Your argument is that the investigation is tainted? The residence of the alleged bad actor is not what determines jurisdiction.
8
Another corrupt Republican! Surprised?!
8
Mind boggling how this criminal was elected last fall. Be careful what you wish for!! Now you have nobody representing you, which I suppose is better than a criminal.
5
Duncan Hunter, come on down!
13
Lyin’ and cheatin’.
It’s the Republican way.
16
Republicans are such good people, the best
7
A good start send all crooked Republicans to jail where all of them have long belonged.
5
The only difference between Collins and Trump is that one of them has the AG and a DOJ directive protecting him from indictments.
12
NY27 CD has economic struggles. Rep. Collins has been working against his constituents by playing upon fears (gun access, social issues...).
Let the costs of the upcoming special election be known. Let NY27 voters understand the GOP was willing to waste their very hard earned tax dollars for special election despite 2018 evidence of Rep Collins guilt.
Time to vote in support of checks &balances and Reps that want to improve the well being of their constituents.
The GOP has again sneered at the taxpayers without regard
14
Then why are you still calling them a GRAND OLD PARTY?
Look, either kiss them or kick them. But when you do both, they just giggle.
2
Pay to Play doesn't always pay.
5
Collins is clearly a crook. When I see that there were voters in his district willing to re-elect him despite his criminal activity, I scratch my head in bewilderment. These voters must be deep into MAGA land--so deep that can't see or understand that such an unfit person cannot represent them adequately.
Of course these same benighted voters also voted for Trump, so I guess it is understandable after all.
47
Great news for Western New York and the country. We do not need this type of criminal behavior in the Congress. Collins was already a rich man, this just shows how greed informs everything some people do.
20
How long before a Trump pardon? Birds of a feather??
7
A Republican admitted wrongdoing?! I was wondering why I saw the Devil in a sweater today.
10
What a selfish jerk. NY should sue him for the cost of the special election.
36
Another guilty politician. If we look closely there are many more.
8
Mr. Collins was a strong advocate of eliminating "Optional Benefits" from New York State's Medicaid program. He never burdened his audience(s) with enumeration of those benefits which include Prescription Drugs, Eyeglasses, Dental Care and other "Cadillac services". Don't go away mad Mr. Collins just go away.
59
Could someone share the Word version of the resignation letter with Duncan Hunter?
19
Gambling problem @ “the big casino”.
3
This guy looks like death warmed-over. The first of many in the Trump Era!
17
@John
And the Cuomo era Drain the NY Swamp. Heastie to Cuomo they have been getting away with impunity for far too long.
A hypocritical, criminal Republican congressman. Shocker.
26
@Mike. How’s Charlie Rangel doing? Menendez?
1
@Jackson
They're fine. Why do you ask?
1
@Jackson
We don't go around thumping Bibles and wrapped in the flag. Hypocrisy is what makes you Republicans such highlights.
4
Will Collins find God in prison? Will he begin his quest for prison reform? How about federal sentencing reform?
I say lock him up and throw away the key.
17
So does "first sitting member of congress to endorse Trump" earn him a presidential pardon? How long before that "get out of jail free" card is given out?
15
Does Cuomo appoint sometime to fill the seat until a special election? And how soon will/can/must a special election be held?
@Ted
One of his cronies will be appointed. He developed this mentality in Albany. Blatantly condoned you can hardly blame Collins for seeking to line his own pockets. And he is not the only one. We all know that.
@Ted no appointment. The Governor calls a special election. We will be without representation until then, but he never really represented his constituents anyway, only himself.
7
About time. Duncan Hunter should be next and then most of Trump Administration with Trump at the top of the list.
14
Collins' re-election is more proof of the Republicans rallying cry. Party before country
15
Where is Mr. Price, former HHS Secretary, orthopedic surgeon what had investing along with Mr. Collins in a small Australian pharmaceutical developing drug for MS. As I recall, Dr. Price said he had a major interest in multiple sclerosis because of his experience as an orthopedic surgeon. Can I sell you the Brooklyn Bridge?
7
@Paul Zorsky
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. They get away with what they can until they are caught.
Watchdogs?
1
@Paul Zorsky, Tom Price applied for Johnny Isakson’s Senate Seat, in corrupt Brian Kemp’s on-line application process last week. The local news exposed that Tom Price still has $1.6 M in campaign funds in his congressional pocketbook that could be used in a 2020 senate race. R insiders say, name recognition, deep pockets aka the $1.6 M, are all pluses in the selection for Kemp. The press did point out that it appears that Price never paid the $1 m for private planes he used as HHS Secretary.
3
Ah, yes, those wonderful Trump supporters.
9
Why would this district now be solidly Republican? Don't the voters in that district understand how morally bankrupt politicians associated with the GOP truly are? Until that party faces its demons, I will never vote Republican. It is the party of greed and corruption.
10
@shep No, they don't. It is a rural district that is more afraid of losing their guns than a corrupt, inept representative.
6
@shep
And the Democrats are no better. They all take corporate money. Its not just the Republicans. Pataki did it for years and Cuomo follows suit. A thug in a suit.
1
the previous reps in this district , Lee and Reynolds, also resigned. The only one who didn't was Kathy Hochul, a Democrat. See a pattern here?
6
It's arguable as to whether which is more shameless, the felony or the refusal to decline to run for the office?
6
Martha served time and so will he. Yelling that he was innocent. Sure. Get lost.
9
The first Republican to endorse Trump…I’m shocked at how un-shocking that is.
14
Collins net worth of $66.5 million!
Vote Progressive
Sanders/Warren
Yang
enough is enough
18
If I were to print out all the examples of why the GOP is corruption, illegality, and projection all the way down, such as this latest news, it would make War & Peace look like a brochure.
Quick googling shows that Collins won his re-election in his district 49.1% (140,146 votes) to Nate McMurray's 48.8% (139,059 votes). Pleading guilty to insider trading and being subjected to another year of Trump's insane blithering just might result in the impending special election going for a Democrat.
19
A guilty plea has value above trial. Glad this is being wrapped up & hope he serves a fair sentence + equitable restitution: including investigation & prosecution costs.
Now, let's move those resources onto investigating Senator McConnell and family...
41
"What can I steal from the common good today ?"
Trump-Collins-GOP 2019
76
Can the “Lock her up” crowd see the irony in this?
82
No they can’t. Irony requires a certain level of intellect to grasp.
23
@EW NO. They operate under the law of IOKIYAR, It's OK if you're a Republican.
6
Another corrupt Republican. At least he resigned while Trump is a Sociopathic coward who never will. But, I’m sure Collins already has assurances from Donald of a pardon. White collar crime again rewarded.
37
Draining the swamp all by himself!
21
@Pigenfrafyn
Drain the swamp*!
*to be replaced with untreated sewage
4
Another case for term lomit
12
The charges against him “meritless”. Nonetheless he is changing his plea to guilty. Yeah, sure Chris. Collins is a reptile. He is an embarrassment to his district in Western, New York. Enjoy your prison stay Chris!
58
Pressure needs to be put on the Judges and prosecution lawyers not to allow him to get away with just a fine. Serious jail time needs to be given out as an example to stop these actions. So called white collar crime is so common because in so many cases a fine is the only punishment meted out to these crooks. The wealthy take large risks with investment money all the time and because there is never a threat of jail time insider trading just becomes another type of investment risk.
39
We all saw the evidence a year ago, yet he clung on to the final day.
16
Collins and other Republicans disparage Obamacare and characterize social programs as "handouts" while they engage in crimes that enrich themselves and their families. Good riddance.
246
@sandy
Evidence ?
2
@Michael Di Pasquale Oh for gawds sake... Republican/Democrat, they ALL enrich themselves. You probably get your own cut in urban planning.
1
Bet he made a big impression with his son's in-laws. Hope all 3 of them wind up in the same prison.
37
Par for the course. Sadly,
It appears that the so called swamp is a mess of Republicans.
Who knows how many thousands of misdeeds go undetected.
"We have met the enemy and he is us". -Walt Kelly - Pogo
28
Quoting Pogo so appropriately goes well in my book
4
"Mr. Collins [was] the first sitting member of Congress to endorse President Trump."
And Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), who undergoing prosecution for using campaign funds to help facilitate extramarital affairs, was the second Congressperson to endorse Trump.
But, hey, our nation's laws only apply to "the little people."
Say the GOP voters who reelected both of them.
Incredible.
122
Nixon was re-elected at a time when all was known about “Watergate”. Those who claim to know about the minds of such voters must surely be dangerous wizards!
10
@Superf88 The extent of the President's knowledge about Watergate was not known until months after the election. Most people assumed it was rogue actors working for CREEP, not the White House.
11
I would like to hear from Republicans in NY about how they feel about this scheme- to run for office knowing that once elected you will be pleading guilty to insider trading and then resigning (since the alleged crime took place prior to the election)? Are you comfortable with this level of cynicism in your party?
45
Yes. Yes they are. Quite comfortable.
19
@EG
Yeah. It all adds to his pension!
This is hilarious news. And to think of all the broken Republican-voting hearts.
21
It is tragic and unfair that one of the GOPs finest resigns over some minor indiscretion like this. It's not like he withheld military aid to a foreign government in return for them manufacturing political dirt on an adversary. It's not like he is a traitor to our nation by "aiding and abetting and giving comfort” to our enemies, the form of collusion better known as treason. If all the republicans left office for a small transgression what would America be left with?
30
@Son of Liberty, small transgression? Insider trading? Are you serious?
Collins should occupy the cell recently vacated by another Inside Trader, Jeff Skilling, a Republican from Texas. Or maybe he should occupy the cell vacated by Tom DeLay, another Republican from Texas.
Or Robin Hayes (R-NC), or Steve Stockman (R-TX), or Dennis Hastert (R-IL), or Michael Grimm (R-NY), or Scooter Libby (R), acting on behalf of Dick Cheney (R-WY), or....
Shucks. So many Republicans, so few jail cells. It’s no wonder the prisons are overcrowded.
27
@Son Of Liberty
A minor indiscretion??? He broke the law, pure and simple. Insider trading is serious, and wrong, and those who engage in it, no matter who they are, must be held accountable. Furthermore, he really had no business being on the Board of Directors of such a company. These companies must get more serious about whom they appoint on their boards, and board members must take their positions and responsibilities seriously.
17
@KML Please understand that "The Chosen One" AKA "Michigan Man Of the Year" is insisting that Chis Collins is now the best person to head the House Committee on Ethics.
4
We in Collins' district have been trying to rid ourselves of him for years. At last, he is going. I believe he ran in 2018 to hold onto his seat as a bargaining chip in his criminal case, and now here's the evidence. It is likely he traded his resignation from Congress for lighter sentences for himself and his son as part of his guilty plea. Good riddance!
73
The first representative to endorse trump in 2016. Makes sense.
52
Collins was never going to let this go to trial. He knew the moment he was caught that he had broke the law, that he had illegally given his family a heads up to dump their stock before the bad news came out. This was never complicated, he knew he was guilty. The not guilty plea was only a ruse so he could win the election to give his supporters the excuse of "let the man have his day in court." This man needs to go to jail for the maximum period allowed. Please do not give me the white collar crime excuse. His actions are no different then the thug who holds up the local 7-11. He is simply a thief in a thousand dollar suit.
89
@KJ Peters: His actions -- and those of every white-collar criminal -- are far worse than those of the person who robs the 7-11, because their actions have extremely far-reaching effects on others' assets and on the financial system itself, which in turn affects millions.
I'm sick of white-collar criminals going to Club Fed and for not very long at that; until we have carceral reform for everyone -- so that everyone convicted lives decently and gets a real shot at rehabilitation -- these white-collar criminals belong in the darkest, nastiest, filthiest prisons out there.
1
Aw c’mon, look at that face. Is that the face of a guilty Republican?
19
another republican hypocrite......shame on these people history will not treat them kindly...……………...…….
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@kjterz
Isn’t ‘republican hypocrite’ redundant?
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Oh good, the swamp is finally being drained!
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Republican "family values" -- work a financial scam with your son.
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@Amanda Bonner The best current example is the Trump crime family.
5
Here's Rep. Chris Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president, talking about Trump in 2016:
“I’m a private sector guy, and so is he. The next president has to have chief executive experience. … We’re electing a chief executive, not a chief politician......there’s only one solution to the (economy)problem: Fair trade."
Fair trade....insider trading....same thing, I guess, Mr. Collins.... if you're a member of the Republican political criminal syndicate.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/04/18/chris-collins-donald-trump-republicans-new-york/83078946/
Nice GOPeople.
Remember on November 3 2020
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"and another one, and another one, and another one bites, the dust!"
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Awww, you beat me to it.
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My God.... ANOTHER Republican crook. Are there ANY decent republicans in this country... Reagan must be turning in his grave. Also Eisenhower and McCain .. How awful are these people ..Trump being the “head” of the fish that stinks..
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@Nursemom
Reagan was a crook too...
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@Nursemom Seriously??? Reagan?? McCain? Neither one of those men should be held in high esteem. If you do a little research you find some very unflattering information on McCain. He was no saint. And frankly, you have Reagan to thank for many of our current economic woes. He planted several seeds.
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@Nursemom. I think the short answer to your question”...are there any decent republicans in this country?” ...is no, they appear to have gone extinct.
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Can't wait to see what message the special election results might deliver.
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The Party Of Family Values. A Mafia Family.
Seriously.
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Even the mafia has better family values...
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Golly gee whiz, and he seemed so sincere when he denied doing anything wrong, and claimed it was all a political “WITCH HUNT”. And these values-based GOP/NRA guys all look so honest....
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@David It is surprising how many witches are in the Republican party and hold elected office.
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They certainly seem to be catching many witches!
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Gosh. It's almost as if Collins wants to hurry up and plead guilty while Trump is still around to pardon him and his son.
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He’d better take a number. Lots of people in line ahead of him.
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Where Chris Collins--the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president in 2016--goes next, may Donald Trump follow soon!
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The family-values party. He was just defrauding our country to help enrich his family. At least he's not gay or transgendered.
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Buh-bye, Republican fraudster (but I repeat myself).
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A shame he won't get to vote on impeachment.
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Collins! You are low hanging fruit, What gives you the right to criticize anyone? You broke the law and now it is time for you to pay for it. SHAME ON YOU!
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Save some room in that New York state jail cell, Mr. Collins. Mr. Trump will be joining you soon after he leaves office.
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Trump's next chairman of the SEC!
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"Republican Representative Chris Collins, the first sitting member of Congress to endorse President Trump in 2016......
resigned on Monday in advance of an expected guilty plea."
---
"Only the best crooks, cretins, creeps, cranks and cravens..."
TRUMP 2016 - 2019
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@Socrates. First SITTING member, but not necessarily the first lying one.
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One down and 5 more to go
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For politicians we need:
1. Term limits
2. Laws against nepotism (no hiring relatives or allowing relatives to serve on boards related to a politician's position).
3. Tighter ethics laws.
Politicians should concentrate more on making legislation instead of making money off of their positions.
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@wavedeva
Perhaps we need a board of some sort made up of citizens, no one currently serving, to review the rules that govern our "representatives."
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He was elected by a district that went for Trump, and he hasnt done anything that Trump wouldnt do or hasnt done. He got reelected even after he was charged.
The country's problem is not Trump. It is districts like these. The people in these districts who are engaged in trumplike activities are understandable, but there are rarely enough of them to win elections. The people in these districts who support Trump even though they have been victimized by trumplike activities are the real puzzle and problem. Since they refuse to listen, the only thing that will get them to change is further victimization by the trumplike activities they admire.
Sometimes it is a bad idea to save people from themselves, even when what they want to do will bring injury or death to themselves and their families. Those who are injured or killed in order to bring the survivors and others to their senses are the price of progress, like those who died in the Triangle Shirtwaist fire or the white Northerners whose murder in the South helped get federal legislation and changes in federal policy.
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@sdavidc9: At this point -- after 35 years of horrible GOP policies and the redistribution of wealth to the already rich -- I have no problem with letting those who vote GOP suffer the consequences.
The problem, though, is that they make many of us who didn't vote GOP -- and never will -- suffer along with them. I vote for people who believe in appropriately regulated capitalism, but that didn't stop me from being destroyed by the financial crisis.
Everyone with any common sense needs to work hard, starting NOW, to ensure that in 2020 we have not just a Dem prez but also a Dem-led Congress (both chambers) so this country can start reviving the middle class and start bringing the poorest Americans up to a decent standard of living.
Volunteer for Dems who are running, if you live in a swing district or state. Volunteer with voter-registration drives. Volunteer to drive people to the polls on Election Day 2020. Call your local Dem Party HQ and ask how you can help.
1
With an estimated net worth of $66.5 million (in 2015), how much is enough, Mr. Collins? Is this the tip of the iceberg? Is this the only time you've been caught?
Money before God and country: The GOP.
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I look forward to the analysis of the Trump family's trades prior to tweets that have affected the market.
Until then may I suggest a different title: Yet Another Corrupt Republican Lawmaker gets Caught Red-handed.
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Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
This is the best way to drain the swamp!
30
Nothing changes in Republican politics: Corruption at every level; unwavering support from ultra partisan voters: cries of outrage ("How DARE you accuse me of..." whatever the venality may be); counter attacks ("We should look into what YOU've been doing..."). Resignation follows if the accusations are ultimately indisputable.
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They shouldn't have allowed a plea deal after he lied through the election in November about his innocence.
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Whats' really sad about this is, a father adding to the corruption of his 26 year old son. But there must be justice. Martha Stewart served time for a similar crime. Would expect at least the same for Collins, and others involved.
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He may have been the first member of congress to endorse Trump, but I predict that Trump will say "Chris who? I never met him."
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Or maybe the next pardon or commutation?
4
Imagine running for office when you are eventually going to plead guilty. What a low life.
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Well, that's what any elected official ought to do when caught breaking the law. On your way out, please send the message up to the president.
14
Mr. Collins, I hope your experience with the diverse prison population proves to be educational and enlightening. Oh..and good riddance!
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Next, could you write an article about the stock market’s reactions to “presidential” tweets and trades made by the Trump family?
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A special shout goes out to my fellow Western NYers who voted Collins back in to office knowing that these charges were pending.
Congratulations, we now have no representation in the House.
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@CC -
For many GOP voters, being a law-breaker is apparently a necessary qualification for office.
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@CC: Taxation Without Represen... oh wait, only little people pay taxes, so no worries.
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@CC
When you're right, you're right.
20
It'd be interesting to get an article about the potential for inside trading by Congress members. What laws are in place? Which ones are enforced? What's the history of abuse of these powers?
If Mr. Collins had not been a board member or tipped off his son, would it have been legal for Mr. Collins to trade on information only he is privy to as a member of congress?
The potential for abuse seems enormous.
21
I believe we need a national seminar, required for everyone, on Ethics 101. And for Members of Congress, a pass/fail test on corruption while in office; those who fail cannot be seated and cannot every again seek public office.
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@PaulB67, How about a national seminar on the 10 Commandments, and I am not religious. I darken the door of a church only when required for the most serious of funerals and weddings.
3
@PaulB67 What use would an ethics course be when businessmen apparently believe that trying to defy or get around all laws & regulations is not just not wrong -- for them -- but actually obligatory -- for them -- and moreover that it also makes them superior human beings?
'Ethics' mean nothing when you have a separate moral code. They seem to think like Nietsche:it's appropriate for the rulers (the rich, corporations & legislators) to have a different morality than the serfs (the rest of us.) We have to obey laws & regs; they're not even supposed to.
Contractors. Sub-contractors. Those that hire them. Those that lobby for them. These large projects born from misuse or negligence.
And then there are the projects such as a new Hudson River tunnel that don't go forward because somebody isn't getting paid right.
And then there are the maintenance contracts ignored as planned obsolescence for the benefit of further contracts.
Just look at how Charter cable became Spectrum dragging cables through our trees and forests for what? They will be obsolete in a matter of a few years when hotspot activity takes over.
Pay to play. It is the tune the current administration dances to.
18
@Guy Walker The whole privatization movement that began with Reagan, under the banner that government needed to be down-sized, opened the door for politicians and high end government officials to open the door of opportunity for their friends and families who were awarded the government contracts that privatization created. The scenario was and remains chapter one in "The Swamp". Chapter two is about quitting congress to become a millionaire lobbyist for the industries that you helped while in congress.
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