Solyndra loan supported by Obama fundraiser despite wife's conflict of interest

A prominent 2008 Barack Obama fundraiser who held a key role in the Energy Department played an active part in Solyndra's $535 million loan guarantee despite conflict of interest concerns over his wife's work at a law firm that also represented the California solar company, according to internal Obama administration emails released Friday.

Steve Spinner's involvement in the Solyndra loan had been difficult to determine until the release of hundreds of emails on Friday showing the Silicon Valley energy consultant engaged while at the DOE in a range of high-level roles.

In a series of emails sent on Aug. 28, 2009, Spinner expressed repeated frustrations with the Office of Management and Budget over the holdup on the Solyndra loan.

"Any word from OMB? I have the OVP and WH breathing down my neck on this," he wrote to DOE career staffer Kelly Colyar. "Just want to make sure we get their questions. They are getting itchy to get involved if needed. I don't want that."

Read more

Related:  NYT - E-Mail Shows Senior Energy Official Pushed Solyndra Loan

WASHINGTON — A senior Energy Department official pushed hard for the government’s $535 million loan to the California solar energy company Solyndra even after he had disclosed that his wife’s law firm represented the company and promised to recuse himself from matters related to its loan application, according to e-mails released by federal officials on Friday.  (Continues here)