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Chris Collins
Former U.S. Representative (R-NY-27)
First sitting member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump, convicted of insider trading for tipping his son about a failed drug trial while attending a congressional picnic at the White House
Overview
Christopher Carl Collins served as a U.S. Representative from New York from 2013 to 2020. He was the first sitting member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president in 2016. Collins served on the board of directors of Innate Immunotherapeutics, an Australian biotech company, while simultaneously serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee which had jurisdiction over drug approvals. On June 22, 2017, while attending the Congressional Picnic at the White House, Collins received an email from Innate's CEO informing him that a crucial drug trial for MBS8 had failed. Within minutes, Collins passed the information to his son Cameron, who sold his shares before the news became public, avoiding $768,000 in losses. Cameron Collins also tipped his fiancee's father, Stephen Zarsky. All three were indicted in August 2018. Chris Collins initially denied the charges and won reelection in November 2018, but pleaded guilty in October 2019 to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements to the FBI. He was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison and pardoned by Trump in December 2020.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Convicted of insider trading conspiracy - tipped son about failed drug trial from White House picnic
Son avoided $768,000 in stock losses based on non-public information from congressman father
Sat on House Energy and Commerce Committee while serving on biotech company board
Won reelection while under federal indictment; pardoned by Trump
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
15 U.S.C. 78j(b)/78ffConspiracy to commit securities fraud - insider trading on material non-public information(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1001Making false statements to FBI agents during investigation(federal)
Known Associates & Connections
Cameron Collins
Son and co-defendant; sold Innate Immunotherapeutics shares based on father's insider tip
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- May 20, 1950
- Birthplace
- Schenectady, New York
Education
- •NC State University (B.S.)
- •University of Alabama at Birmingham (M.B.A.)
Key Timeline
2013-01
Takes office as U.S. Representative for NY-27
2016-02-24
Becomes first sitting member of Congress to endorse Trump
2017-06-22
Receives failed drug trial email at White House picnic; tips son
2018-08-08
Indicted on securities fraud and false statement charges
2019-10-01
Pleads guilty to conspiracy and false statements
2020-01-17
Sentenced to 26 months in federal prison
2020-12-22
Pardoned by President Trump