Politically-connected solar firm secured low interest government loan before collapsing

By Ronnie Greene and Matthew Mosk

Politically-connected Solyndra got half-billion dollars at cut rate interest – and likely won’t repay taxpayers first

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… he Energy Department's agreement with the company.The $535 million loan to Solyndra Inc., issued by the Treasury Department's Federal Financing Bank as part o …"

"… July. Of 18 Energy Department stimulus loans cited in the bank’s report, Solyndra’s rate was lowest. Eight other Energy Department projects, each also bac …"

"… rom the president. Monthly government bank reports filed since then reveal Solyndra’s rate as the lowest for any energy-related project in nearly every repo …"

"… ranging from cutting edge electric car makers to wind and solar ventures. Solyndra's rate fluctuated from 1 to 2 percent, hovering at 1 percent of late.Energ …"

Congressional hearing to focus on Obama administration loan to failed energy firm

By Matthew Mosk and Ronnie Greene

House focuses on government loan to solar firm Solyndra, backed by Obama fundraiser, which won $535 million before going under

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… manufacturers." …"

"… panel announced it will hold hearings next Wednesday on the government’s Solyndra loan.Separately, the Center for Public Integrity's iWatch News and AB …"

"… ment had spent two years touting the company’s promise, and fast-tracked Solyndra through the normally cumbersome process of securing hundreds of millions i …"

"… Wednesday, iWatch News and ABC News reported that the federal loan to Solyndra came through the Treasury Department's Federal Financing Bank, and was app …"

Federal agents search headquarters of failed solar firm Solyndra

By Ronnie Greene and Matthew Mosk

FBI raid comes as scrutiny intensifies in Congress over benefits to politically connected firm

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… at least in part, is a $535 million government loan to the solar company, Solyndra, Inc., which counts a fundraiser to Obama's 2008 campaign as its chief pri …"

"… rsday that it gained “observer status,” sitting in on meetings of Solyndra’s board. That raises the possibility that the Energy Department was awar …"

"… gy Department was aware of company events during the crucial months before Solyndra's demise, even as the department officials continued to publicly support t …"

"… to publicly support the company.Some members of Congress seized on a visit Solyndra's chief executive made to Washington less than two months ago, when he tru …"

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Solyndra investigation expands as agents visit executives’ homes

By Ronnie Greene and Matthew Mosk

CEO and failed firm's founders questioned by agents on day of raid. Now Democrats are asking questions

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… anded their examination of the now-bankrupt California solar power company Solyndra, visiting the homes of the company's chief executive, a founder, and a for …"

"… n interview. “You probably understand full well that I cannot comment.”Solyndra spokesman David Miller confirmed agents visited Harrison’s home on Thurs …"

"… vidence the Justice Department and Inspector General are exploring whether Solyndra misled the government in securing its $535 million loan in 2009 – and la …"

"… simmering questions about the role political influence may have played in Solyndra's selection as the Obama administration's first loan guarantee recipient. …"

Greene talks about Solyndra on Fox News

Greene on Fox News

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… reporter for iWatch News, was interviewed on Fox News about the demise of Solyndra, the solar-energy firm that went bust last week. The FBI is now investigat …"

"… nt -- of the company raised flags from the very beginning. Also troubling, Solyndra was funded, in part, by venture capitalist George Kaiser who is also an Ob …"

"… who is also an Obama campaign bundler.Some members of Congress assert that Solyndra's top executive misled them less than two months ago when describing the c …"

"… panel announced it will hold hearings this Wednesday on the government’s Solyndra loan.  …"

Missed warning signs: A Solyndra timeline

By Ronnie Greene

From the start, Energy Department pressed ahead with financial boost to now-failed solar startup.

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… to explore questions about the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee to Solyndra Inc., a California solar panel firm that secured a $535 million government …"

"… about the company’s viability as it pressed ahead with the funding.2005: Solyndra Inc. is founded by Dr. Christian Gronet.2006: The company opens its h …"

"… onet.2006: The company opens its headquarters in Fremont, Calif.Dec. 2006: Solyndra files an application for a Energy Department loan guarantee just before th …"

"… r.2007: Production begins on the company’s solar rooftop panels.2008: As Solyndra’s loan application proceeds, Fitch Ratings assigns the company a less th …"

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Recurring red flags failed to slow Obama administration's race to help Solyndra

By Ronnie Greene

Benefits kept flowing to politically connected, now-bankrupt firm: Money, low lending rates - and a presidential visit

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… mushrooming investigation. …"

"… ose a chunk of their investment in bankruptcy proceedings. More than 1,100 Solyndra workers already have faced consequences; when the company collapsed A …"

"… and shows signs of intensifying. The president is facing broadsides about Solyndra from the GOP, criticism sure to escalate as the 2012 election nears. Obama …"

"… ama touted the company in a visit to its plant last year, two months after Solyndra’s own auditors raised striking questions about the company’s viability …"

White House kept close tabs on Solyndra loan, internal emails show

By Matthew Mosk and Ronnie Greene

Top officials pushed for half-billion-dollar loan to troubled startup

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… deliberations over whether to make a $535 million taxpayer-backed loan to Solyndra, a politically-connected solar energy firm that went bankrupt and now is t …"

"… ce to approve the loans. [A complete timeline of key events involving Solyndra is here.]White House officials said the email excerpts obtained Tuesday do …"

"… xcerpts obtained Tuesday do show White House interest in the timing of the Solyndra decision – but only because the president was considering announcing the …"

"… hat March, and Obama toured the company’s plant a year later, portraying Solyndra as a symbol of how government and industry can come together.The House Ene …"

Treasury opens new front in Solyndra investigation

By Ronnie Greene and Matthew Mosk

Inspector general to examine Federal Financing Bank's handling of taxpayer-backed loan

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… eral has opened a new front in the investigation of the government loan to Solyndra, the now bankrupt company that had been touted as a model of President Oba …"

"… e Energy Department’s inspector general have executed search warrants at Solyndra’s headquarters and questioned company executives. “We’re going …"

"… y. Earlier this month,  iWatch News  and ABC News disclosed that Solyndra received an interest rate of 1 to 2 percent -- lower than those affixed to …"

"… ects. The low rate was set even as an outside agency, Fitch Rating, scored Solyndra as a B+ -- "speculative" -- investment. Energy Department officials said t …"

Obama administration agreed to Solyndra loan days after insiders foresaw firm's failure

By Ronnie Greene and Matthew Mosk

White House committed half-billion dollars days after government insiders warned solar firm would 'run out of cash'

Excerpts from this story referencing "Solyndra":

"… fer’s warning, the Obama administration announced its commitment to lend Solyndra Inc., a California manufacturer of rooftop solar panels, $535 million as p …"

"… to work.  Energy Secretary Steven Chu attended the groundbreaking of Solyndra’s new Fremont, Calif., factory, to be built with the money. Vice Preside …"

"… e foundation for long-term growth.”  But the staffer had been right.Solyndra ran out of money, sure enough -- and in the very month foreseen. Some 1,10 …"

"… nbsp;Again and again, the Obama administration pressed forth in support of Solyndra in the face of glaring warning signs sent up from even its own staffers.Th …"

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