Obama Administration Considered Giving More Money to Solyndra, Emails Show
- Posted on October 7, 2011 at 6:57pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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According to hundreds of pages of emails obtained by Fox News, the Obama administration was considering giving an additional $5.4 million to the now-bankrupt solar panel manufacturer Solyndra in late August — just days before the firm filed for Chapter 11, laying off all of its employees.
The emails allegedly reveal that Energy Secretary Steven Chu and his staff were eager to find a way to salvage the distressed company, but officials at the White House, Treasury Department and Office of Management and Budget stepped in, ultimately cutting off additional funding to the company.
After a conference call on Aug. 26 to discuss the matter, an email exchange discussing the call hints that the White House might have been much more worried about the public relations fallout than they initially indicated. According to Fox, White House aide Heather Zichal emailed budget office official Jeffrey Zients to see if he would join in on the Solyndra call. He agreed, asking, “What’s the deal?” Fox adds:
“*#-@show,” was Zichal’s one-word response to Zients.
Another email suggested that the ensuing controversy was going to be “a mess,” according to the documents obtained by Fox News.
After the August conference call, officials familiar with the discussions told Fox News that there was unanimous opinion within the administration that no more money should go to Solyndra. The company filed for bankruptcy days later.
The emails are part of about 2,000 pages of documents sent late Friday to the House Energy and Commerce Committee as part of the Obama administration’s ongoing cooperation with an investigation into whether undue political influence was used by George Kaiser, an Obama fundraiser and Solyndra investor, to approve the original $535 million government loan guarantee to the company.
The newly released emails also reveal that Steve Spinner, an Obama fundraiser who later became a top Energy Department official, pushed administration officials in 2009 to make a decision on the Solyndra loan, despite having been warned that he should stay out of the negotiations.
If that were not enough:
Another big point in the new emails is that administration officials told the Energy Department in early 2011 that they should consult with the Justice Department before restructuring Solyndra’s loan in a way that put private investors ahead of taxpayers in case of a bankruptcy.
But the emails show that lawyers at the Energy Department moved ahead with the restructuring in February 2011 without ever consulting with the Justice Department. Private investors put up another $150 million in capital, and half of it was put to the front of the line ahead of taxpayers receiving their money in case of a failure.
“In February, we requested in writing that DOE seek the Department of Justice’s approval of any proposed restructuring,” Justice official Marty Miller wrote on Aug. 17, 2011, to Zients, according to the article in Fox. “To our knowledge that never happened.”
The entire report can be viewed on the Fox News website.
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Comments (81)
Farmer John
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:07pmSo Obama’s capaign bundler got tax payer money to keep him whole? I’m shocked!
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:03pmWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…
Report Post »getalong
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:28pmImpeach, Impeach, Impeach If this was done on Bush’s watch you bet their would be a call to impeach. How much more lies and corruption do Americans have to put up with before congress calls for impeachment. It has gotten to the point that corruption is the norm in this administration and telling the truth is nonexistent. Frankly, I wonder how long it will take for these kooky liberal minions to realize that they are cutting their own noses off to spite there face. I mean just take a look at the idiots protesting on Wall Street. Most of them don’t even know why they are there.
Report Post »JamesR
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:00pmObama administration and giving more money to Solindra = stupid is what stupid was.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:07pm… the American people are gonna nail yer Marxist azz to the floor boards, you little turd …
Report Post »and for Fast and Furious? The American people are going to throw you in prison for MURDER! DEATH ROW for OBAMY! Sleep tight, turd …
Ookspay
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:07pm@Chazman- Are you still keeping that list good buddy? It has to be getting pretty long by now, LOL. All the best to you and your Boy, Our American Soldier and Hero.
Report Post »Questionman
Posted on October 8, 2011 at 5:11pmChazman, you disgusting racist piece of crap!
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:38pmHey, it ain’t his money.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:20pm@OOKSPAY
The list … yeah, I need a secretary. I can’t handle it! But thanks! My son is home! Just last Monday! Three tours in AF and he wants to go back ASAP … the reason for my high BP …
Report Post »Amazingoly
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:35pmFollow the money and it will lead to the corrupt administration. Plain and simple. People are heading to prison.
Report Post »Toxic Pirate
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:18pmWhats the line on that ?
Report Post »angry nerd
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:18pmGiving money, that is our money!
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:23pmThat be more Obama money!
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:39pmthe “New Whitehouse Blues”. wrote by me, just now. :P
look hear ya rascals, see what you’ve done, you stole my money and i got a gun,
Report Post »i’ll see ya back… in washington…
i jumped on a horse and i pulled on his mane, said looky here ya horse,
ya better out run this train from buffalo… to washington…
the feds are printing money and there’s no end in sight
people in the streets and they’re ready to fight, it’s their duty… it’s their right.
obama’s in the whitehouse scamming at his best
our constitution is taking a rest, it’s gone… it’s long gone…
captaincameron
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:15pmYou could have a film of Obama handing them the cash; Solyndra-Gate will never happen.
Report Post »Nothing will stick to this administration because of the willing collusion that the media gives.
Vote early and vote often in 2012. It may be your last chance.
PA PATRIOT
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:22pmTeflon OBAMAMY
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:13pmDon’t you get it yet? The whole “Global Warming Scam” is simply an emotional argument to allow the tyrants to reward their political cronies and separate you from your hard earned wealth. http://commonsense21c.com/images/GLOBAL_WARMING_SCAM.jpg
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:18pmYes .. and they need to go to PRISON!
TEA!
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:08pmConservatives trying to make more out of the Solydra story than it deserves. After all these funds were approved by Congress in 2008, and both republicans and Democrats were involved. The Obama administration had the good sense not to keep funding it. Maybe they should have given them more money. After all they have to compete with Eurpeon and Chinese solar companies which get much more in government subsides. The money this company got pales in comparison to the billions in subsides given to oil companies.
Report Post »Stuck_in_CA
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:13pmHawaii Court Sets Hearing About Obama’s Missing Birth Certificate: Fox News Reporter Will Be In Attendance
From attorney Orly Taitz: Update! My hearing in HI, in Taitz v Fuddy, Onaka is in 5 days, October 12th, 8:30 am. If you are a resident of Honolulu or if you are visiting Honolulu on October 12th and you are a supporter of mine, please, come to the hearing to support me. First circuit court of HI, Judge Rhonda Nishimura, 777 Punchbowl str., Honolulu, HI, October 12th 8:30 am.
This case was filed against the registrar Alvin Onaka and Director of Health Loretta Fuddy, seeking access to the original birth certificate of Barack Obama for expert examination…
Report Post »http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2011/10/hawaii-court-sets-hearing-about-obamas.html
CatB
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:20pm535 MILLION DOLLARS .. over HALF A BILLION! Not making too much out of Obama money laundering to his “friends” for campaign donations!
TEA!
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:45pm@bernbart
Report Post »Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:08pm
Conservatives trying to make more out of the Solydra story than it deserves. After all these funds were approved by Congress in 2008, and both republicans and Democrats were involved. The Obama administration had the good sense not to keep funding it. Maybe they should have given them more money. After all they have to compete with Eurpeon and Chinese solar companies which get much more in government subsides. The money this company got pales in comparison to the billions in subsides given to oil companies
***
Always handy to make up your own facts. Truth: The Bush WH had a green energy program and decided NOT to fund Solyndra because “They’re not ready for the Big Leagues yet!” The BO WH rushed to fund it so Bye-Done could highlight it in a speech! Most of the money came from the stimulus, AND NO RUPUBS voted for it! This story says they wanted to continue. If you try to plug up the holes in a **** (That’s reservoir for those in Rio Linda.) it just gets soaked and pretty soon you’ve created lots of jobs to print and wheelbarrow more $’s to the **** and loads of jobs for people madly stuffing holes! But it wouldn’t be to safe to be those workers as the water pressure makes more & more holes!
RightPolitically
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:00pmThis thing is AN OUTRAGE. What the hell right does government have to play in the business markets. NONE! I really do want to use some very vivid FOUR LETTER WORDS to describe how I feel but know full well that The Blaze will remove my post. The country is broke. Taxpayers are broke. Businesses are failing and the wheels are coming off everything and now we learn that the ELITE CENTRAL PLANNERS are p is sssing away what’s left on some pie in the sky green energy scheme, un frick in’ believable!
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:10pmYes an outrage. Let the Chinese sell solar to the rest of the world,while American drip in oil and ruin the environment.
Report Post »jg2pto
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 9:46pm@ Bernbart Exactly who is buying all this “solar” from the Chinese? And, if it’s that lucrative of an enterprise, then why should the government need to get involved with propping up the industry? Remember how many jobs are created by the oil industry before you try to spew that drivel and compare apples to oranges. Green energy isn’t a pimple on the rear end of oil with respect to jobs.
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on October 9, 2011 at 3:01pm@BERNBUTT…..Wow you finely made a statement I agree with. Let us the U.S. drip in oil…..and let the chinese waste their money on green jobs. Right on buddy.
Report Post »jmgair
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:57pmAll of this brought to America courtesy of Hope & Change from a guy who could not run a hot dog stand if his life depended upon it. It is far worse than just Solyndra however so just wait for the next shoe to drop because it will since they have spent $38 billion on these Green Jobs that nobody can define what a Green Job is anyway.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:39pmre : nobody can define what a green job is anyway.
Report Post »***
def: Creating jobs cleaning up the mess I make of America throwing all this Green cash around. (Especially jobs for prosecutors and investigators for all my corruption.)
Jezreel
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:57pmObama is a traitorous b—-rd that need to be IMPEACHED. I am sure that pretty soon, it will become so disgraceful and shameful as more and more of his crap piles up that he will need to be impeached. They tried to impeach Bill Clinton for less! There is something very dirty going on. Obama is not an American in the first place. He is a racist that hate the United States and only the koolaid drinkers like him still.
Report Post »SFALLC
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:55pmI am a 53%
Report Post »SFALLC
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:49pmThere have been many studies that have shown Solar and Wind have no ROI. As and integrated Energy Comany We are a company who is actively engaged in Energy efficiency and the optimization of all aspects of structures. Our firm began over 25 years ago doing research and putting together Real-estate Projects that were designed to outperform traditionally built structures.
It can be said the misinformed who are ill-advised are making poor decisions on things they have no experience in. Solyndra is one of these decisions.
The Oakridge National lab has done numerous studies on Energy and to sum things up,Efficiency coupled with comon sense and you have a winning combination.
Now as a integrated energy company I have one thing to say SHOW ME THE MONEY!
The lack of access to companies that are private and still owned by its founders is disheartening.
Our company has been seeking capital to expand for more then two years to no avail.
http://flagrantquoque.tumblr.com/
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:47pmSolyndra was merely a money laundering front for “donations” destined for the campaign coffers of democrats especially Obama. This is the most crooked administration in the history of our country. And still people defend his sorry, profane arse.
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:38pmm
Report Post »Motonutt, ‘Blatant in your face up your a** corruption’ and a deep seated hatred for our country.
The Divided States of America
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:23pmThe nightmare became a daymare the day these wacky americans voted this creep into office……..demonic-rats…and republi-cans were all in on it….theres noone to blame but US…There is still hope though…pray with all your might, that Mr God forgives US and allows a man of God to take the reins once again !!!!
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:36pmI agree. And 41% of Americans still think this bozo is doing a good job. Pray with all our might.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 10:59pm@The Divided States of America
Report Post »Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:23pm
The nightmare became a daymare the day these wacky americans voted this creep into office……..demonic-rats…and republi-cans were all in on it….theres noone to blame but US…There is still hope though…pray with all your might, that Mr God forgives US and allows a man of God to take the reins once again !!!!
***
I was feeling a little disheartened about everything when I logged off last night; God sent me to Psalm 33. The AWE-FULL-NESS OF HIS PROMISES ESPECIALLY BEGINNING AT VERSE 10 THROUGH THE REST OF THE CHAPTER!!! Wow! By the time I’d re-read, His timing had me praying, HALLELLUJAH!!!! …MY GOD REIGNS!!! “The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought; He maketh the devices of the people of none effect”. (vs 10) HALLELLUJAH!!! ” For our heart shall REJOICE IN HIM , because we have trusted in His Holy Name!!! “(vs 21) (Have you? He said whosever will may come?)
bailey08
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:22pmObama was just looking out for “the folks”.
Report Post »By “the folks” I mean his rich crony friends that fund his campaign coffers.
Should infuriate all hard-working taxpayers that the Obama’s Administration was looking out for the rich investors instead of us.
bernbart
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:14pmI guess you forget it is the corporations, wall street, and the benkerss who are funding he republicans. Obama does not take corporate donations, He only take individual donation under the federal elections laws.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:05pm@bernbart
Report Post »Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:14pm
I guess you forget it is the corporations, wall street, and the benkerss who are funding he republicans. Obama does not take corporate donations, He only take individual donation under the federal elections laws.
***
That’s why he makes “personal appearances” at fund raisers on Wall Street and Silicon Valley! He feels so sorry he has to turn those poor donors down that he decides to go tell them in person!
QUICK, More Koolaide, we’re liable to run out and somebody see the light!!!!
OneofMany
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:15pmEverything I read every day, since the day Obama became president is like a nightmare i can’t wake up from…
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:26pmBlatent in your face up your a** coruption. I wonder if we will ever get an account for where the money went.
Report Post »I’m sure a lot of it will or has returned to the DNC for the campain of obummer and other dems.
Then even farther in your face they were going to give another $460,000,000.00
When are we going to rise up and say enough is enough.
motonutt
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:33pmSame $$$$ as the federal highway budget for roads and bridges for 35 states for one year. That could have built, replaced and repaired a lot of roads and bridges. Then the commander and chump comes out the same week and claims we need more money for infrastructure.
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:13pmWait,
Where are all of the protesters in front of the homes of Solyndras executives.
Protesting the loss of a billion TAX PAYER dollars?
Nah, their friends of the Obamas.
It will all payoff for them in 2012.
November 6, 2012 cannot come fast enough.
Pray for a political conservative that will act with tough love.
Send em packin.
“If you keep feeding the stray cat, it will never leave.”
Makes ya kinds sick.
Report Post »OneofMany
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:16pmexactly!!!
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:18pmAt least they would know why they are protesting.. they haven’t a clue why anywhere else.. its all like a big party.. no rhyme no reason! Great job Frances.. SEIU..Union… You have some real winners protesting duh I don’t know!!
Report Post »End The Fed
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:55pmMy thoughts exactly.
Report Post »stage9
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:11pmliberalism = criminalism
liberalism poses a clear and present danger to the security of the United States of America.
Report Post »ReallyAUnionGuy
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:15pmyou mean the BHO Admin. is being “less than truthful” say it isnt so…
Report Post »http://www.firefightersforfreedom.blogspot.com
BetterDays
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:24pmWhich is why I’d vote for the candidate who says ” in the first month of being elected, any and all citizens who are found to be socialists shall be deported without delay.” These psychopaths are intentionally seeking our destruction as a nation, and they deserve deportation. Plus without them, a lot of nice jobs open up.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 11:12pm@BetterDays
Report Post »Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:24pm
Which is why I’d vote for the candidate who says ” in the first month of being elected, any and all citizens who are found to be socialists shall be deported without delay.” These psychopaths are intentionally seeking our destruction as a nation, and they deserve deportation. Plus without them, a lot of nice jobs open up.
***
And a whole need for manufacturing for Cleaning solvents to disinfect the government!
Ferrarello
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:09pmIt’s just another one of their DNC money laundering operations. What’s the big surprise ?
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:05pmDoes any of you other tax payers believe we should have to pay for Solyndra??? I can just hear Obama.. “the American people wanted to do this” give me a break.. its time to arrest the whole bunch in the WH.. we have swindlers for an administration!
Report Post »revel222
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:04pmAre you surprised? Anyone else want money? He’s giving it away! Pretty soon, there will be none left.
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:03pmDo you know a SCAM when you see one?
Most Americans do. The time has come to stop the lunacy in Washington
Our founding fathers are in tears.
Report Post »AOL_REFUGEE
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 7:38pmNothing like throwing gas on a fire, this regime’s modus operandi.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on October 7, 2011 at 8:58pmFFS America! … our founding fathers would have ran these guys through a long time ago… they would have, by God, route them out.
Report Post »