WASHINGTON _ The Office of Congressional Ethics is reportedly conducting an inquiry into whether Rep. Chris Collins improperly attracted investors to an Australian biotech company and gave a stock tip to then-Rep. Tom Price.
Collins, R-N.Y., was caught talking on his cellphone earlier this year bragging about "how many millionaires I've made in Buffalo the past few months."
The complaints note that Collins worked on legislation that could benefit Innate, which would violate laws that prevent lawmakers from profiting from inside information while investing.
Collins spokesman Michael Kracker dismissed the investigation.
"Despite the continued partisan attacks insinuating otherwise, Congressman Collins has followed all ethical guidelines related to his personal finances during his time in the House and will continue to do so," he said.
The complaints involve a stock tip Collins gave to then-Rep. Tom Price, now President Donald Trump's secretary of the Health and Human Services Department.
Price bought $100,000 worth of stocks in Innate two days after Collins bought 4 million shares last August.
A company document found that executives, a doctor and a former coach for the Buffalo Sabres bought stock around the same time.
