x
Breaking News
More () »

FBI serves Sen. Richard Burr search warrant in stock sales investigation tied to COVID-19: Report

Federal agents also served a search warrant at Sen. Burr's Washington, D.C. home, according to the report.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Senator Richard Burr has turned over his cellphone to federal investigators.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation seized Burr’s cellphone as part of a probe into controversial stock sales at the induction of the COVID-19 in the United States, according to the LA Times.

Federal agents also served a search warrant at his Washington, D.C. home, according to the report.

The investigation comes as Burr allegedly dumped up to $1.7 million in stocks in the days before the coronavirus wreaked havoc on the economy.

According to ProPublica, in more than 30 different transactions, Burr dumped between $628,000 and $1.72 million of his holdings on Feb. 13, a significant percentage of his stocks.

Several of the stocks were in companies that own hotels. The stock sales were first reported by ProPublica and The Center for Responsive Politics. 

Burr said on Twitter at the time, that Americans were already being warned about the effects of the virus when he made the speech to the North Carolina State Society.

RELATED: Reports: 4 US senators sold stocks before coronavirus market crash

“The message I shared with my constituents is the one public health officials urged all of us to heed as coronavirus spread increased,” Burr wrote. “Be prepared.”

Burr sent out the tweets before reports of his stock sales. A spokesperson at the time for the senator said in a statement that Burr “has been deeply concerned by the steep and sudden toll this pandemic is taking on our economy” and supports congressional efforts to help the economy.

In a separate statement, Burr said he "relied solely on public news reports to guide my decision regarding the sale of stocks on February 13."

"I closely followed CNBC’s daily health and science reporting out of its Asia bureaus at the time. Understanding the assumption many could make in hindsight however, I spoke this morning with the chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee and asked him to open a complete review of the matter with full transparency.” 

Burr's attorney, Alice Fisher of Latham & Watkins released a statement saying the following: 

“As the Senator has said, he has made the decision to step aside as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee until this investigation is resolved, and to allow the Committee to continue its essential work free of external distractions. When the issue arose, Senator Burr immediately asked the Senate Ethics Committee to conduct a complete review. He has also been actively cooperating with the government’s inquiry, as he said he would. From the outset, Senator Burr has been focused on an appropriate and thorough review of the facts in this matter, which will establish that his actions were appropriate.” 

Three other senators who sold stocks around the same time have also been named in separate reporting.

CORONAVIRUS NEWS

RELATED: Coronavirus in North Carolina | Some families affected by school closures will receive extra food benefits

RELATED: Another 2.5 million job losses expected in Thursday weekly report

RELATED: 'We have to do this carefully' | Governor Cooper talks reopening plans, 'cushioning the blow' to the economy

RELATED: 'It's hard to decompress' | Novant Health ICU nurses share fight against coronavirus

RELATED: 'I just want to see my mom and give her a hug' | When will families be able to visit their loved ones in nursing homes?

RELATED: Trouble getting a refund? These class action lawsuits can help

RELATED: Greensboro postal worker uses stimulus check for high school seniors

RELATED: Track COVID-19: Carolinas outbreak map

RELATED: Hundreds of North Carolina prisoners with COVID-19 declared recovered

RELATED: FBI, Homeland Security warn Chinese hackers likely targeting coronavirus researchers

Stay connected to local, national and breaking news: Download the new WFMY News 2 app. 

Text the keyword APP to 336-379-5775

DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE

DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE

►For the latest weather conditions and forecast text the keyword WEATHER to 336-379-5775

►For local news stories right to your phone text the keyword NEWS to 336-379-5775

►Need our Call for Action Team? Text keyword CFA to 336-379-5775

►For traffic alerts text the word TRAFFIC to 336-379-5775

Before You Leave, Check This Out