Big payday for U.S. ambassador with stake in go-go wireless Internet firm

By John Aloysius Farrell and Fred Schulte

Obama aide earns big payday 10 days after FCC approves wireless sale; Grassley wants answers

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… ide who became ambassador to South Africa, cashed in his stock options for LightSquared, a new wireless Internet firm, for as much as $500,000 ten days after the …"

"… een $250,000 and $500,000 from the sale.iWatch News recently reported that LightSquared’s ties to Obama’s supporters and the administration’s policy interes …"

"… undler” and broadband cheerleader, as chairman of the FCC, which granted LightSquared a special waiver to operate.Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said Friday the …"

"… Iowa, said Friday the FCC should make public all documents showing how the LightSquared decision was reached."The new details about the political and financial re …"

Emails show wireless firm's communications with White House as campaign donations were made

By Fred Schulte and John Aloysius Farrell

Wireless company sought meetings with White House officials as contributions were made

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… here is ridiculous,” said Neal, the company’s spokesman. …"

"… cratic causes and President Obama, White House emails show.On the day that LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja made a $30,400 contribution to the Democratic Party, two …"

"… ers to Obama, according to emails obtained by iWatch News.“Hi Aneesh!” LightSquared representative Dave Kumar wrote to Aneesh Chopra, the president’s chief …"

"… week for a fundraising dinner with the President.”Earlier that same day, LightSquared lawyer Henry Goldberg wrote to James Kohlenberger, then chief of staff for …"

GOP demands investigation into LightSquared contacts with White House

By Fred Schulte

GOP raises questions about email traffic between White House and LightSquared as donations were made

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… said.   …"

"… vestigation. iWatch News revealed Wednesday that on the same day that LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja made a $30,400 contribution to the Democratic Party, two …"

"… ain access to White House and Federal Communications Commission records on LightSquared, also called for a probe of the Virginia company’s dealings. The FCC on …"

"… 6 gave the company conditional approval to operate.“The emails show that LightSquared representatives cited political connections and friendships to get an audi …"

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Administration technology experts slow to see threats from wireless network

By Fred Schulte

Obama technology experts were slow to see threats from LightSquared network

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… s to government aviation and defense communications posed by wireless firm LightSquared’s plans for a national broadband network, White House emails records sho …"

"… ntrol. “Every administration witness testifying at every hearing on LightSquared has been explicit in identifying the problems it would cause for GPS, and …"

"… been explicit in identifying the problems it would cause for GPS, and that LightSquared should not be allowed to move forward unless those interference issues are …"

"… es are resolved,” Schultz said in a statement.He added: “The fact that LightSquared personnel met with administration officials to tout their company and admi …"

The weekly watchdog: Sept. 12 - Sept. 16

By Bill Buzenberg

In case you missed them, catch up on this week's top investigations from iWatch News

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… eal@publicintegrity.org.Until next week,Bill BuzenbergExecutive Director …"

"… e are some troubling similarities between bankrupt Solyndra's troubles and LightSquared, a wireless company with deep connections into the Obama administration. T …"

"… ch News and ABC News this week don't look so great either. On the day that LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja made a $30,400 contribution to the Democratic Party, two …"

House Republicans scrutinizing decisions benefiting Obama donors

By Fred Schulte

Congressional committee to explore White House role in aiding fundraisers tied to companies such as LightSquared

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… o presidential aides.Among those facing Republican scrutiny: Wireless firm LightSquared, which won initial government approval in late January despite fears its n …"

"… The committee is reviewing information brought to its attention related to LightSquared as part of a broader effort examining government actions that pick winners …"

"… itteee asked the White House to turn over all records of its contacts with LightSquared. "While some may call it a coincidence," said Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Tex, chai …"

"… y after two separate sets of meetings and meeting requests one year apart, LightSquared employees made five-figure donations to the Democratic Party."An iWatch Ne …"

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The weekly watchdog: Sept. 19 - Sept. 23

By Bill Buzenberg

In case you missed them, catch up on this week's top investigations from iWatch News

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… ther benefits, and are requesting information on White House contacts with LightSquared, a company whose employees made large contributions to Democrats while gai …"

"… ions to Democrats while gaining access to presidential aides. We broke the LightSquared story as well as the tale of the bankrupt solar company Solyndra. Rep. Dar …"

Senator asks LightSquared to release all communications with White House

By Fred Schulte

LightSquared pressured to release all communications with White House

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… states.  …"

"… operations and search and rescue missions.In two letters sent Wednesday to LightSquared and its hedge fund owner, Philip Falcone, Grassley asked both to voluntari …"

"… onfidence in the FCC’s decision to allow this project to move forward.”LightSquared spokesman Terry Neal said, “We received the letter and we are reviewing …"

"… n donors seeking government contracts, loans and other benefits, including LightSquared, whose employees made large contributions to Democrats while gaining acces …"

Obama campaign reports more than 350 big bundlers, including Solyndra figures

By Aaron Mehta

41 bundlers round up $500,000 each for Obama's re-election

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… ive energy firms.Several Obama bundlers also had hands in wireless company LightSquared, now the focus of Congressional investigations into whether their politica …"

Grassley puts hold on FCC nominees in tiff over LightSquared

By Fred Schulte

Senator holds up nominees until FCC answers questions about LightSquared

Excerpts from this story referencing "LightSquared":

"… less the agency turns over documents about controversial broadband company LightSquared.The Iowa Republican wants to know, among other things, if campaign contrib …"

"… wireless plans last January. That approval came despite concerns that LightSquared’s network could disrupt global positioning systems, posing dangers to ai …"

"… r records supporting the FCC’s decision. He also is seeking records from LightSquared’s principal owner, hedge fund Harbinger Capital which is run by New York …"

"… earlier  iWatch News report detailed numerous email contacts between LightSquared and White House aides. On the day that LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja made …"

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