Sen. Warren pushes SEC on Federal Reserve stock trades

Warren wants officials investigated for possible violations of insider trading rules

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has called for the Securities and Exchange Commission to open investigations into whether securities trades made by high-level officials at the Federal Reserve may have broken any insider trading rules.

In a letter to SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Warren pointed to new revelations that Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida moved between $1 million and $5 million out of a bond fund and into a stock fund on Feb. 27, 2020 – the day before Fed Chair Jerome Powell issued a statement signaling possible action amid growing concern over COVID-19's emergence in the U.S.

ELIZABETH WARREN TARGETS BANK MERGERS WITH REINTRODUCED BILL

Just weeks ago, Warren noted, disclosures revealed that Dallas Fed chief Robert Kaplan made multi-million-dollar stock trades last year, while Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren made several trades involving real estate investment trusts. Kaplan and Rosengren both abruptly retired last week after Powell vowed to make trading rules for Fed officials more stringent.

Now, Warren says the SEC should look into whether any Fed officials have violated the law with their trading activities.

JEROME POWELL SAYS FED TO CHANGE TRADING RULES FOR CENTRAL BANK OFFICIALS

"The reports of this financial activity by Fed officials raise serious questions about possible conflicts of interest and a reveal a disregard for the public trust," the senator wrote, adding, "they also reflect atrocious judgement by these officials, and an attitude that personal profiteering is more important than the American people’s confidence in the Fed."

Warren asked Gensler to investigate the extent, timing, and rationale for trades made by Fed officials, "the extent to which these trades may have been influenced by non-public information in possession of the individuals making the trades," and "whether these trades may have represented violations of provisions that bar individuals from ‘purchasing or selling a security while in possession of material nonpublic information,’" citing the Insider Trading Sanctions Act of 1984.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Warren also continued on her warpath against Powell, whom she called "a dangerous man" last week. "It is not clear why Chair Powell did not stop these activities, which corrode the trust and effectiveness of the Fed," she wrote.

Warren has been pushing legislation that would prohibit federal lawmakers, senior aides, White House staff, and other officials from owning individual stocks. She is also seeking to have Powell replaced by a Democrat.

Load more..