Turner Joins House Members Calling on A.G. Holder to Appoint Special Counsel in MF Global Investigation

Press Release

Today, Congressman Bob Turner (NY-09) joined fellow New York Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) and 63 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, asking him to appoint an independent or special counsel to investigate MF Global. Many unanswered questions remain regarding what caused the massive shortfall in segregated customer accounts prior to MF Global's bankruptcy. There are concerns that special treatment was granted to MF Global due to CEO Jon Corzine's relationships with regulators. In addition, Jon Corzine has recently bundled over $500,000 for President Obama's re-election campaign. At a time when the administration is under fire for the handling of Operation Fast and Furious, Solyndra, and the GSA scandal, a special counsel would remove even the perception of political favoritism by bringing in an outside special counsel.

"This issue has conflict of interest written all over it. It just doesn't pass the smell test. Jon Corzine's relationship with the President and his administration severely complicates this case. Attorney General Holder should do what is right for the victims of this massive bankruptcy and appoint a special counsel immediately. Those who were affected by MF Global's collapse deserve and investigation that is free of conflict and speculation," said Rep. Bob Turner (R-NY).

"I'd like to thank my colleagues who joined me in sending an important message to Attorney General Holder that a special counsel is essential in the MF Global investigation. Given the perception of special treatment of CEO Jon Corzine and this administration's record of waste, fraud and abuse; I believe that a special counsel is needed to restore public confidence in our government and in the integrity of our markets. It is in the best interest of the Obama administration to show the American people and the many victims of MF Global, that when it comes to justice, there will be no playing favorites and everyone will be treated equally under the law," said Rep. Grimm.

"At a time when Americans' confidence in their government has been tested time and again by stories of waste and misconduct by government officials, it is vital to demonstrate that Congress is taking the appropriate steps to ensure the public's faith has not been misplaced. Concerns have been raised that special treatment was given to MF Global because of former CEO Jon Corzine's relationships with regulators, the outcome of which led to thousands of hard working Americans feeling cheated by MF Global's actions. Bringing in an independent counsel would remove any perception of favoritism and help ensure a thorough investigation of the claims made against MF Global," Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), member of the House Financial Services Committee.

"The CCC salutes Rep. Grimm for spearheading his initiative to appoint an Independent Counsel in the MF Global case. It is paramount that lawmakers on both side of the aisle to support his proposition to bring about justice to the 38,000 customers of MF Global who have had over $1.6B of their property taken from them and to restore some much-needed integrity to the American financial system," said James Koutoulas, President of the Commodity Customers Coalition (CCC).

"I appreciate the efforts of the members of Congress, particularly Congressman Michael Grimm, who have taken an interest in righting this wrong. A wide cross-section of the economy has suffered as a result of MF Global's bankruptcy, including farmers, ranchers, private investors, small business owners, as well as major corporations and financial institutions. Perhaps more importantly, it has called into question the confidence that everyone needs to have in the integrity of the financial markets and the regulatory system, which is supposed to be in place to protect the public," said Stanley Haar, Senior Advisor to the Commodity Customers Coalition (CCC).

The letter was signed by GOP Representatives Robert Turner, Michael Grimm, Bill Posey, Stevan Pearce, Scott Garrett, Timothy Johnson, Edward Royce, Pete Sessions, Peter Roskam, Donald Mazullo, Walter Jones, Patrick McHenry, Michele Bachman, Thaddeus McCotter, Lynn Westmoreland, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Bill Huizenga, Sean Duffy, James Renacci, Thomas Rooney, Bob Gibbs, Stephen Fincher, Scott Tipton, Martha Roby, Tim Huelskamp, Randy Hultgren, Vicky Hartzler, Robert Schilling, Michael Turner, Ann Marie Buerkle, Joe Walsh, Trey Gowdy, Dennis Ross, Mike Kelly, Steve Chabot, J. Randy Forbes, Trent Franks, Jim Jordan, Sandy Adams, Benjamin Quayle, Sam Graves, Jeff Miller, Denny Rehberg, Joe Wilson, Marsha Blackburn, Mario Diaz-Balart, Jim Gerlach, Phil Gingrey, Charles Boustany, Gus Bilirakis, Paul Broun, Lynn Jenkins, Leonard Lance, Aaron Schock, Mark Amodei, Lou Barletta, Charles Fleischmann, Cory Gardner, Bill Johnson, Adam Kinzinger, Jeffrey Landry, Alan Nunnelee, Jon Runyan, Allen West, and Kevin Yoder.

Congressman Bob Turner represents New York's 9th Congressional district and serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and House Committee on Homeland Security.

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