FBI at Solyndra Headquarters
Part of a joint investigation with the Dept. of Energy
By RJ Middleton and Scott McGrew
NBC News (Bay Area)
Thursday, Sep 8, 2011 | Updated 10:36 AM PDT
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/FBI-at-Solyndra-Headquarters-129455348.html
FBI agents armed with search warrants descended Thursday morning on bankrupt solar company Solynrda.
The investigation comes after a request by the Department of Energy's inspector general, FBI spokesman Peter Lee told NBC Bay Area News.
Agents arrived at Solyndra at 7a.m. and were examining the factory. Solynrda has a skeleton crew of 100 workers on the scene, who are closing the factory down.
"It's been an interesting [two weeks]" says Solyndra spokesperson Dave Miller, referring to both the bankruptcy and the FBI raid. "I don't know what they're looking for...but I haven't seen them take anything."
Solyndra filed for bankruptcy last week, shocking both workers and the Obama administration, which had given the startup $535 million in low interest loans.
The announcement was a devastating blow to Mr. Obama who is set to deliver a speech on job creation Thursday evening.
Congress has demanded a hearing into the matter. Wednesday the company was reported to be for sale.
There are no reports of any arrests at this time.
Solyndra officials made numerous visits -- 20 -- to the White House, according to logs and reporting by The Daily Caller.
Solyndra officials in the logs included chairman and founder Christian Gronet and board members Thomas Baruch and David Prend, according to the Caller.
A CNBC photographer on the scene says the FBI has promised to hold a press conference. An agency spokesperson at its San Francisco headquarters said he was unaware of any such plans.
NBC Bay Area has a team en route to the scene, as well as a helicopter.
Please check here for updates as the story unfolds.
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