WaPo: Energy Dept. Pushed Solyndra to Keep Layoffs Quiet Until After Midterms
- Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:25pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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New e-mails released Tuesday prior to Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s testimony before a congressional investigative committee on Solyndra, reveal that the Obama administration urged their failing clean energy poster child to keep firm layoffs quiet until after the 2010 midterm elections.
First reported by the Washington Post, the October 2010 emails reveal that, despite having received an energy loan from administration of $535 million, the solar panel manufacturer’s chief executive had told the Energy Department he intended to announce worker layoffs on October 28. However in an October 30 email, advisers to Solyndra’s primary investor, Argonaut Equity, explain that the Energy Department had strongly urged the company to put off the announcement until November 3. The day after midterm elections where Republicans trounced the administration’s party.
A Solyndra investor adviser wrote on October 30: “They did push very hard for us to hold our announcement of the consolidation to employees and vendors to Nov. 3rd – oddly they didn’t give a reason for that date.”
On Nov. 3, 2010, Solyndra announced it would lay off 40 workers and 150 contractors and shut down its Fab 1 factory. The Post notes that the DOE “agreed to continue giving Solyndra installments of its federal loan despite the company’s failure to meet key terms of the loan, and in February restructured its loan to give investors a chance to recover $75 million in new money they put into the company before taxpayers would be repaid.”
Emails released earlier this month revealed that a major donor to the President had discussed Solyndra with White House officials, directly contradicting repeated assurances by the Obama administration that the donor, George Kaiser, had never spoken with the White House about the company. The emails reveal that Solyndra came up during a meeting at the White House with Kaiser at the same time Solyndra was seeking a second federal loan. The second loan was not approved and AP reports that an investment venture controlled by Kaiser made a private loan that resulted in the firm and other investors moving ahead of taxpayers in line for repayment in case of a default by Solyndra.
Solyndra declared bankruptcy in September and laid off its 1,100 workers, leaving taxpayers on the hook for more than a half-billion dollars.
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Comments (80)
heyjim55
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:35pmThe money sent to Solyndra and the Andy stern’s company probably went to campaign contributions and funding Marxist organizations. The money comes through the front door and then out the back door just like the Mafia.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:01pmHave you had enough? Has the American people seen enough wasteful corruption? At what point do we stand up remove everyone and reboot the system?
Report Post »Founding Father2
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:04pmAfter what was just revealed with government inside trading how is it a Politico reporter can claim that the congressmen are not corrupt: http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/nov/politico_not_corrupt.html
Just another way DC is the cesspool of America…
Report Post »Marci
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:10pmWhat I find even more aggravating is the political pundits who sit and talk in circles about this crap, both sides. There is no room to speculate and give benefit of the doubt—-if you are too chicken to be an actual journalist and say what it is, stop sitting around and soft-balling what someone may have said and when. The worst of the worst? The Five—the sorry show that replaced Glenn Beck. Bob Beckel either plays his part of the unhinged Democrat very well or he really is that stupid and temperamental. And Dana Perino? Stop bouncing your hair around and batting your eyes long enough to actually have an HONEST conversation about the facts. You are not the press secretary anymore trying to soften the blow, you can speak in actual FACTS.
Report Post »netmail
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:49pmThis looks like something that could potentially take Obama down, but then what??
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:12amGee. Conspiracy from within the ranks of the elite!?
Report Post »Diego Roswell
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:26pmNothing to see here, move along. Go watch “Jersey Shore” or “Beavus and ********”. The corrupt Obama administration is above the law.
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 4:11pmHe sure seems to be teflon coated. Nothing sticks. Our Constitution did not consider that the voters would ever vote for someone that hates America. Yea, that‘s you I’m talking about – yea you in the mirror – get up right now and go put that Obama bumper sticker back on your vehicle.
Report Post »Guttersmack
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:51pmIt is Beavis and you can type ******** here without being censored. Btw, they have new episodes out the fall, and despite how stupid the show was in the early 90′s, it is a much more intelligent show than anything on MSNBC. They make fun of Jersey Shore others like it. Not the point you were trying to make, but still had to stand up for B&B, intellectual titans when compared to the current administration.
Report Post »heyjim55
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:26pmThis deal smells of money laundering I wonder if anyone has investigated it from that point of view? Andy Stern formerly of SEIU is a member of the board with another failed green company that received a huge some of money from the White House , I can‘t accept that this was just a failed business I think they are fronts for something else maybe Obama’s reelection fund or financing something some very evil.
Report Post »bandi9
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:56pmheyjim, ya think? did you also hear about Japan bombing Pearl Harbor? jeeez
Report Post »ROMANS 10-9
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:04pmObama is a
Report Post »One Man Pearl Harbor!
Rowgue
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 4:37pmLol did that just come to you? Of course it’s a money laundering operation. That’s what all the liberal “charities” are. That’s what all the unions are. That’s what this is all about. They’ve been doing this for decades, it’s just that nobody cared to pay attention before because the economy was artificially inflated and everybody thought everything was great. They can pump billions upon billions upon billions into anything that they think people will think sounds warm and fuzzy like green energy or education or economic recovery legislation. And once they allocate it they can do whatever they want with the money. Nobody pays attention to where the money actually goes or what kind of return taxpayers are getting on their investment.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:24pmWH: Liars Inc.
Report Post »uptickusa
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:20pmEverything that is news about this administration is corrupt and the Internet keeps everyone honest as to when they break the law .No more will True Americans be not allowed to view the corrupt actions without being exposed.
Report Post »Vote Republicans 2012-straight ticket to give them a chance to clean up-and if they screw up get rid of them-No party should be safe now—-
sWampy
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:24pmIf they had announced it when they wanted, we could have gotten the senate also, and we could be well on the way to a full recovery already. ;-(
Report Post »Hobo Gator
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:17pmNow, he wants free trade with all of Asia. So, with that in mind. Will American Workers Unite for the following to compete against Asia – Work 10 hours a day, 15 days in a row, with one day off, and you don’t get to choose the job. Local job agencies will pick you up for work and drop you back off. You must comply with what the job agency tells you to do. Don’t worry about pay, you get food coupons. No sick days, if you are sick, it’s better to work than stay home. They give you mask to wear. Welcome to the new world order. Thank Bill Clinton and all his progressive cronies.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:12pmI think the Blaze is getting censorship stupidity or slow as molasses
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:08pmWOW finally
Report Post »someonewhocares
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:15pmWhat else are they hiding?
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:08pmWhat I’m banned why?
Report Post »schroeder123
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:21pmMaking sure you have not upset the team… : ) Ha !
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:06pmThis thing was a disaster from the get go the fact that Obama indorsed this company tells you how big an IDIOT he is how clueless can you be It also tells me Obama is just a puppet not even understanding what he was doing just show up and smile push that Green agenda hello boys and girls the word of the day is green.
More like green in his pockets
Report Post »Disc_Coastie
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:53pmMikeV5…don’t throw the “idiot” rock… until you learn puctuation!
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:57pm@ Disc_Coastie
Dude lick me what maters are the words when I get these be a smart poster crap all i see are boot lickers in action so buzz off
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:59pm@ Disc_Coastie some I removed so my post even shows up get it
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:21pmListen my brain refuses to form text out onto paper correctly or straight dyslexic is the word it infuriates me to all hell but it’s not stopping me from speaking my mind if you want to be a snob that points out other peoples falts so be it an A,./ is an A,./.
Three years of special schooling and set back two years didn’t help me out so now I don’t care if I make mistakes
Lick me again
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 4:13pmone more for ya
http://www.zocalo5.com/just.html
Report Post »db321
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 4:17pmYou go Mike V – I enjoyed your post. Your right – it’s all about both greens – green jobs and green in Obama’s pocket.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:28pmSorry for getting so angry but it’s been a long time someone did that to me to me it’s like telling a man with one leg hay dude can’t you run any faster he has disability’s don’t mock just shut up.
To this day I can’t hand wright the numbers 3, 5 and 8 my hand will refuse to do those numbers they come out looking like some squiggles the only way to do it is very carefully do those numbers then it can be done, I can make an 8 by two zeros on top of each other that works but it looks weird still.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 5:51pmI have stayed away from any online forums, Blogs because of my disability if you want to call it that, I don’t I live with it.
But with Obama and his merry band of Thugs destroying America I decided I must speak up if you don’t speak up you are giving away your freedom and I refuse to do that so ridicule or not I’m speaking up call me stupid but I will speak up and will not stop till that man Obama is gone.
Report Post »Jwmajic
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:23pmDon’t let Disc_Coastie bother you. It’s a type of Ad hominem attack pseudo Intellectual trolls engage in. They can’t debate you on merit of argument so the petty superficial trolls nit pick spelling, grammar and punctuation to paint you as an idiot because they have no facts to back up their points of view. Its really cowardly.
Report Post »I’ve had to deal with these jerks attacking my punctuation too. And have discovered intellectually they can not fight their way out of a wet paper bag they are morons.
ColoradoMaverick
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:59pmObama: You’re really not smart enough to be a organized crime boss. I’m not quite sure why you keep trying. Your corruption and lies will be exposed despite the liberal mass media trying their very best to protect you. You will be exposed for who and what you really are.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:23pmWhen is Obama’s beloved Nobel Prize Laureate, Berkeley professor and “best and brightest” Energy Secretary Stephen Chu going to be forced to resign? He is clearly unfit to hold his office. He actually maintains that Solyndra was a success: “the project that we supported succeeded. The facility was producing the product it said it would produce, and consumers were buying the product.”
Report Post »Chu regards Solyndra as an experiment, to prove that the process is viable (in the sense of physically possible). The notion of how much it cost apparently is completely irrelevant to him. The repeated warnings about Solyndra’s business model and impending demise utterly unimportant to him. Then of course, the loan was subordinated to make sure Obama’s backers got out with their investment intact leaving the tax payer on the hook. This is a compelling argument for keeping academics out of policy positions. Academics have a tendency to become enamored with their analytical frameworks, and find it difficult to broaden their vision in response to lessons from reality. FIRE STEPHEN CHU NOW!
I.Gaspar
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:52pmIf we still had a constitutional republic, this would be enough to kick these S.O.B.s out of the White House.
Report Post »EVERY aspect of this administration is fraudulent and corrupt.
When will Boehner and those in the House, who technically still control the checkbook, start shutting these criminals down?
If they don’t start damned soon, it WILL BE TOO LATE.
lukerw
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:55pmYou must Change… the Senate… in order to start Impeachments!
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:03pmYou are correct. The House creates the Bill of Impeachment and the Senate tries the impeachment. Unless the Senate changes, POTUS won’t be impeached. I still think the RINOS in the House should advance a Bill of Impeachment.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:28pmSadly if he hadn’t pulled this dirty trick and this news had come out before the elections, the republicans would have taken both houses, and the obamanation would be impeached already, and we could be well into his trail for treason.
Report Post »Midwest Blonde
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:46pmCorrupt, corrupt, corrupt – need I say more? Taxpayers are getting screwed once again. Lied to once again. When will this end?
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:46pmAnother dept which is just an extension of the Administration, reports directly to the Admin, and does the Admin’s bidding…. Congress doesn’t find out about these rogue executive branch agency shenanigans until after the fact….
While these agencies should and can be created by the President and he can appoint who heads them, they need to be accountable to the 500+ house members and 100 senators, NOT the one man in the White House…. The DoE, FCC, NEA, EPA and other agencies need to fall under the Congress, not continue to be a ring of power surrounding the President, creating his own mini-Facist regime within the 3-branchs of government.
Report Post »Thetruththink
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:44pmWe allow it so what do you expect? DAHHHHHHH Educate yourself, ignore the media, and educate everyone around you. We must become an educated imformed and activist constitutional based electorate. Stand up and run for office, and we must take The 2012 and beyond elections.
Report Post »AnAmerican111
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:42pmAnother surprise?!!!!!!!!!!
OBUMA’s pathetic administration lying and cheating!
Com’on America! Get smart and get rid of this moron next November!
Report Post »takingonissues.com
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:41pmOf course this will not hit the main street media like it should – so Americans will still be in the dark about the real Mr Obama. http://www.takingonissues.com
Report Post »nueces
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:41pmKinda surprised this is in the WaPo. Maybe the machine has decided to dump The One and Put Billery in the WH. God Save Us.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 5:53amNueces – Hope you are right, Hilrod will be easier to beat thans Obumbler. Have you seen pictures of her (close ups)? She needs to see Fancy Nancy’s plastic surgeon. Woman looks like death warmed over.
OMG
Report Post »Thetruththink
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:39pmThis is totally normal for this administration. Why is anyone shocked. They did it in Chicago and IL politics. They do it now even after getting exposed. This is what absolute power does especially with an evil agenda. There is a lot more we haven’t exposed yet. KAOS pressure from the top down, bottom up from the inside out. We are all to blame for being so apathetic. The Unions are a slush for fund for politicians, you have to pay money to play with the regime, and We need more tax dollars to fund union jobs to payoff the support we got last election and the next. Back, Back in the USSR!
Report Post »nueces
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:45pmRegarding you absolute power reference: Power was not needed to corrupt these devils. They sold their soul before they ever had any power.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:37pmNothing surprises me anymore and nothing will be done about it while our Traitor In Chif is on his throne.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:47pmI’m afraid that elections are not enough to get him out, they own and control the polls (inside out). At this point American idol has a better system and you know what that is.
Report Post »GilbertAcct
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:35pmEverything Obama is doing at this point is part of his reelection campaign strategy. He’ll also pull out troops to regain the anti-war vote… I‘m guessing once he’s reelected he’ll start a war with Iran and there will be a surge in troops to Iraq.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:38pmI see something else happening; he will slow the pullout of troops from Iraq and then have a incident happen along the border of Iran-Iraq that will initiate a full scale war; he knows in the history of the US a wartime President has never failed to be re-elected (in his own words), and his utter defeat would be quite nice…look for him though to start such a war with Iran.
Main purpose is the utter breaking of the armed forces, and more spending in the trillions to further break down the nation — pressure, pressure, pressure.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:57pmWhy do you think he put off the pipeline from Canada. Now Canada is looking at China as a recipient of the oil.
Report Post »GilbertAcct
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:08pmGood points.
Report Post »bama54m
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:34pmHey boys and girls,,can you say Collusion,,Nothing wrong here,,keep moving,,
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:40pmPersonally I want to hear the words…
“Mr Obama, having been found guilty on all one thousand charges by the jury, I hearby sentence you to the following terms in jail…”
Report Post »Obama_Sham
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:18pm@Snow
I want to see the perp walk… LOL…
Could you imagine Barry and his band of misfits all cuffed and stuffed?!?
Report Post »MBA
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:33pmSpeaking of DC political corruption–anyone notice how fast the story regarding congressmen and senators doing illegal trading disappeared. Ya suppose anyone will do a follow up investigation and if they do will they be alive to report it?
Report Post »Rillobymorning
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 3:53pmPoor Congressman Issa. This corrupt bunch of thugs in Washington have him hopping, between F&F, Solyndra and all this insider trading.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:31pmFollow this all the way up .. and prosecute ANYONE who broke the law!
TEA!
Report Post »NSDQ
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:31pmWondering if I can get a clean energy loan to further my research into Dihydromonooxide.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:35pmI don’t know, that’s the most corrosive substance on the planet.
Report Post »nueces
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 1:42pmJust make sure you kick back a large portion to the DNC and I‘m sure you’ll be in like Flyn.
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:01pmOf course not, silly – that is a well-known greenhouse gas that is even worse than CO2!
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on November 15, 2011 at 2:03pmThis reminder, that the greenies even hate water, has been brought to you by Evian – we’re naive spelled backwards!
Report Post »RIGEL_ORION
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 8:06amNo, what the greenies really hate, when you get down to it…are humans.
By their own actions, these groups continue to demonstrate their feelings that humans are secondary to every other concern
Report Post »