This is just a note I write to myself, observing a curiosity about solar panel maker Solyndra, who filed bankruptcy yesterday and were raided by your FBI today. The biggest equity investor in the firm is George Kaiser, with “about $337 million”. Solyndra received a government loan for $527,808,544. OK, so bankruptcy is supposed to mean that loans are repaid to the extent possible, and if there’s anything left it goes to the equity investors.
Not in this case. Somehow, after the loan was made, documents were revised so that $69 million of Kaiser’s money is first in line for repayment, followed by the government loan. Also, Kaiser was a fundraiser for the current President’s campaign, and visited the White House 16 times since the inauguration.
Lately I kind of figured this is how business is done, it is to be expected that major campaign donors will receive substantial favors from those they helped elect. But at least in this case Reuters has demonstrated some interest, and investigations are giving the appearance of commencing.
Maybe somebody didn’t get their share.