Letter to The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General and The Honorable Christopher Cox, Chairman U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
August 8, 2005
The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzales
Attorney General
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
The Honorable Christopher Cox
Chairman
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20549
Dear Attorney General Gonzales and Chairman Cox:
Please find linked a special report published in the Seattle Times this past weekend, entitled "Selling Drug Secrets."1 The serious nature of the reported findings and allegations, coupled with the grave implications if these allegations are meritorious,
compel me, as Chairman of the Committee on Finance (Committee), to refer these matters to the Department of Justice and to the Securities Exchange Commission for consideration. Selling drug secrets violates a trust that is fundamental to the integrity of both scientific research and our financial markets.
As Chairman of the Committee, I request that your agencies conduct a complete and thorough review of these findings and allegations and please keep the Committee apprised of your progress. In addition, please advise whether or not Congress needs to consider strengthening any laws in light of these reports. Finally, at the earliest opportunity, I would appreciate receiving a briefing from your respective agencies. Thank you in advance for having your staff coordinate with my staff about these matters no later than close of business on August 15, 2004. Any questions or concerns should be directed to _______. All formal correspondence should be sent electronically in PDF searchable format to ___________ or via facsimile to ________. All original material should be sent via USPS mail.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
Chairman
1 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/business/drugsecrets/index.html
http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2005/prg080805.pdf