Yesterday, The Detroit News reported that Republican Congressman John James (MI-10) failed to properly disclose 145 stock trades, a major violation of the STOCK Act.
“It’s clear that Representative John James is only out for himself and cannot be trusted,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “This is the type of self-serving, corrupt behavior that voters are sick and tired of seeing: an elected official getting rich by abusing their government position. Rep. James must be investigated for this egregious violation of federal law and face the consequences of his actions.”
The Detroit News: U.S. Rep. James late to disclose 145 stock trades, cites issue with blind trust
Grant Schwab
09/08/2024
Key Points:
- Michigan Republican U.S. Rep. John James failed to disclose 145 stock trades within the 45-day required time window set out in federal law, according to a Sept. 2 filing.
- The congressman also said he filed a late annual financial disclosure on Sept. 3, more than three weeks after his Aug. 13 deadline, because he was “prioritizing integrity and transparency above haste in correcting these newly uncovered errors.”
- But Payne also said late disclosures can indicate unethical behavior, such as lawmakers intentionally delaying submissions to obscure trades they or their spouses make using insider information.
- U.S. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, filed legislation earlier this summer that would prohibit members of Congress from trading individual stocks. The bill is meant to stop both the practice and appearance of lawmakers using their positions for financial gain.
- Rep. James’ office declined to comment on whether he supports that measure.
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