New York Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) reportedly hosted a meeting between Israeli officials and a defense-contracting firm in which he’d invested money.
The Daily News reported Monday that the Queens Democrat, who represents parts of Nassau County, hosted the meeting between Xenonics Inc. and two Israeli officials in his Washington office.
Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside)
The newspaper said Ackerman invested $14,000 in the firm before the meeting and later sold the stock for $100,000 at a profit in 2005 and 2006. It said he’d borrowed the money, at 6 percent interest, from a friend who was also the firm’s top shareholder.
Ackerman said he acted properly and didn’t profit from any transaction between Xenonics and the Israeli government.
Ethics rules bar members from using congressional resources to promote commercial enterprises.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
