Showing posts with label Charles Grassley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charles Grassley. Show all posts
October 19, 2013
US Rep. Seeks Facst About What FBI Knew About Tsarnaev Brothers
[From article]
Grassley also asks why FBI agents were conducting surveillance in Cambridge’s Central Square on April 18, hours before authorities say the brothers ambushed and murdered Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus cop Sean Collier in his cruiser.
In a statement yesterday, the FBI, Boston Police and Massachusetts State Police denied having a bead on the Tsarnaevs before their desperate and deadly attempt to flee.
“Members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force did not know their identities until shortly after Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s death, when they fingerprinted his corpse,” the statement reads, adding that the Cambridge surveillance pertained to “a matter unrelated to the Tsarnaev brothers.”
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/10/fbi_invites_inquiries_with_its_secrecy_keating_says
FBI invites inquiries with its secrecy, Keating says
Saturday, October 19, 2013
By: John Zaremba
Boston Herald
January 24, 2010
US Sen Grassley's Letter on Psychiatric Abuses
The Honorable Francis S. Collins, Ph.D., M.D. [Dated]January 20, 2010
Director
National Institutes of Health
One Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
Dear Director Collins:
As a senior member of the United States Senate and the Ranking Member of the
Committee on Finance (Committee), I have a duty under the Constitution to conduct
oversight into the actions of executive branch agencies, including the activities of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH/Agency). In this capacity, I must ensure that NIH
properly fulfills its mission to advance the public’s welfare and makes responsible use of
the public funding provided for medical studies. This research often forms the basis for
action taken by the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
For the last two years I have worked to achieve public disclosure of financial
relationships between physicians and the drug, device and biologic industries. Beginning
in the summer of 2008, I began releasing information to demonstrate that universities are
not managing their professors’ financial conflicts of interest and that change is needed at
the NIH. Specifically, I found:
The Chair of the Psychiatry Department at Emory University failed to report
hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments from a pharmaceutical company
while researching that same company’s drugs with an NIH grant. The Health and
Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) is now investigating
the matter.
The Chair of the Psychiatry Department at Stanford University received an NIH
grant to study a drug, while partially owning a company that was seeking FDA
approval of said drug. He was later removed from the grant.
Three psychiatrists at Harvard University failed to report almost a million dollars
each in outside income while heading up several NIH grants. Harvard plans to
release a report on the matter.
In each of these cases, the researcher(s) involved received funding from the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Because I have uncovered so many
problems at the NIMH, I wonder if there is something in particular about this institute
that leads to so many funding problems. In one particular case, the researcher from
Emory who had failed to report his outside income left Emory and is now at the
University of Miami and still has NIMH funding. Accordingly, I would appreciate your
response to the following questions and requests for documents.
1) Please provide all communications and/or emails sent and/or received by the
director of the NIMH. The time span of this request covers May 2, 2009, to the
present.
2) Please provide all phone records of the director of the NIMH. The time span of
this request covers January 1, 2009, to the present.
3) Please provide the calendar of the director of the NIMH. The time span of this
request covers May 2, 2009, to the present.
4) Please provide all communications and/or emails sent and/or received by NIMH
staff regarding Senate investigations and/or conflicts of interest. The time span of
this request covers June 1, 2008, to the present.
I request that the NIH respond to my request by no later than February 3, 2010.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any questions
regarding this letter, please contact Paul Thacker of my Committee Staff at (202) 224-
4515. All formal correspondence should be sent electronically in PDF format to
Brian_Downey@finance-rep.senate.gov or via facsimile to (202) 228-2131.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
Ranking Member
Director
National Institutes of Health
One Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
Dear Director Collins:
As a senior member of the United States Senate and the Ranking Member of the
Committee on Finance (Committee), I have a duty under the Constitution to conduct
oversight into the actions of executive branch agencies, including the activities of the
National Institutes of Health (NIH/Agency). In this capacity, I must ensure that NIH
properly fulfills its mission to advance the public’s welfare and makes responsible use of
the public funding provided for medical studies. This research often forms the basis for
action taken by the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
For the last two years I have worked to achieve public disclosure of financial
relationships between physicians and the drug, device and biologic industries. Beginning
in the summer of 2008, I began releasing information to demonstrate that universities are
not managing their professors’ financial conflicts of interest and that change is needed at
the NIH. Specifically, I found:
The Chair of the Psychiatry Department at Emory University failed to report
hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments from a pharmaceutical company
while researching that same company’s drugs with an NIH grant. The Health and
Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) is now investigating
the matter.
The Chair of the Psychiatry Department at Stanford University received an NIH
grant to study a drug, while partially owning a company that was seeking FDA
approval of said drug. He was later removed from the grant.
Three psychiatrists at Harvard University failed to report almost a million dollars
each in outside income while heading up several NIH grants. Harvard plans to
release a report on the matter.
In each of these cases, the researcher(s) involved received funding from the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Because I have uncovered so many
problems at the NIMH, I wonder if there is something in particular about this institute
that leads to so many funding problems. In one particular case, the researcher from
Emory who had failed to report his outside income left Emory and is now at the
University of Miami and still has NIMH funding. Accordingly, I would appreciate your
response to the following questions and requests for documents.
1) Please provide all communications and/or emails sent and/or received by the
director of the NIMH. The time span of this request covers May 2, 2009, to the
present.
2) Please provide all phone records of the director of the NIMH. The time span of
this request covers January 1, 2009, to the present.
3) Please provide the calendar of the director of the NIMH. The time span of this
request covers May 2, 2009, to the present.
4) Please provide all communications and/or emails sent and/or received by NIMH
staff regarding Senate investigations and/or conflicts of interest. The time span of
this request covers June 1, 2008, to the present.
I request that the NIH respond to my request by no later than February 3, 2010.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any questions
regarding this letter, please contact Paul Thacker of my Committee Staff at (202) 224-
4515. All formal correspondence should be sent electronically in PDF format to
Brian_Downey@finance-rep.senate.gov or via facsimile to (202) 228-2131.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
Ranking Member
May 6, 2009
NAMI and Drug Companies
US Senate Probe Discovers:
Most NAMI Money is From Psychiatric Drug Industry
By MindFreedom News
NAMI has admitted to a US Senate probe that a majority of their funds
over the last five years, 56 percent on average, have been from drug
corporations. NAMI has agreed with the probe to immediately begin
quarterly postings to their web site with a list of drug company
donations and amounts.
MindFreedom obtained a letter sent last week by NAMI executive
director Michael J. Fitzpatrick to "NAMI Leaders and Members." The
letter is a response to the probe of NAMI by US Senator Charles
Grassley (R-IA) initiated on 6 April 2009.
In the 28 April letter, copied below, Mr. Fitzpatrick wrote, "As
reported to Senator Grassley, pharmaceutical companies contributed an
average of 56% of national NAMI's budget annually for the period 2005
- 2009."
Mr. Fitzpatrick passionately defends the drug company donations, but
says NAMI has a strategic plan to lower the percentage.
Commented MindFreedom director, David Oaks, "The NAMI board should
have listened to its own Consumer Council which voted for full
disclosure many years ago, but was ignored."
MindFreedom maintains a count of the number of times the NAMI web site
uses the phrase "biologically based" when referring to mental health
problems. Said Oaks, "There are as many theories about the cause of
extreme mental problems as there are colors in the rainbow.
Unfortunately, NAMI's rainbow is mainly green -- drug company money
green. Now we know why."
MindFreedom is encouraging an international "thank you" from everyone
to Senator Grassley for investigating psychiatric drug money
corruption, click here:
http://grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm
~ ~ ~
LETTER FROM NAMI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHAEL J. FITZPATRICK:
April 28, 2009
Dear NAMI Leaders and Members,
On April 6, 2009 Senator Charles Grassley asked NAMI national to
provide information about support it receives from pharmaceutical
companies. For the last three years, Senator Grassley has been
interested in various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry and has
made similar requests to other non-profit groups.
NAMI shares Senator Grassley's interest in transparency and has
cooperated fully with this request. Since the request was made, three
basic questions have been posed that are worth sharing and answering.
Does NAMI accept contributions from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes, we do -- and we're delighted to have this critical support for
our many programs and important work all across the country.
NAMI accepts charitable contributions from individuals, foundations
and corporations, including the pharmaceutical industry, for one
purpose -- to improve the lives of people with mental illness and
their families. These relationships are governed by NAMI's Guidelines
for Business Support Relationships, a NAMI policy originally developed
and approved by the Board of Directors in 2004. This policy ensures
that at all times NAMI will maintain an independent position on issues
affecting the welfare of people with mental illness. A copy of this
policy is available online at http://www.nami.org/BusinessGuidelines.
As you know from our strategic plan ( http://www.nami.org/stratplan ),
NAMI's goal is to reduce the percentage of our budget that is
supported by charitable donations from pharmaceutical companies.
While we deeply appreciate the support we have received, we set this
goal because we understand the value of diversifying our funding
sources -- both for fiscal stability and because we want to shed any
lingering, unfair accusations that somehow NAMI has been "bought" -- I
can assure you: nothing could be further from the truth. NAMI's
advocacy voice is loud and clear and uncompromised.
As reported to Senator Grassley, pharmaceutical companies contributed
an average of 56% of national NAMI's budget annually for the period
2005 to 2009. Many of NAMI's signature education programs, including
Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Connection, In Our Own Voice and
NAMI Basics have national corporate sponsors.
These programs are the essence of your work in your communities. They
are offered free of charge to thousands of consumers and families who
participate in them each year. Without support of these companies, we
would be hard-pressed to bring you these vital programs. Corporate
grants and charitable contributions also support the NAMI Web site,
Mental Illness Awareness Week, and other public education and advocacy
efforts.
Can we see who is giving NAMI what?
Yes, you can.
NAMI National has long made public lists of major corporate and
foundation donors in our annual reports, which you can view online: http://www.nami.org/governance
. In 2009, we have begun posting on the NAMI Web site on a quarterly
basis all foundation and corporate grants and corporate contributions
over $5,000 received by NAMI national. The first list covers January-
March 2009 and can also be viewed at http://www.nami.org/governance.
Now what?
We continue our incredibly important work together, at the national,
state and local level, on behalf of one of the most vulnerable and
discriminated against populations in our country.
NAMI has long enjoyed a great national reputation. In fact, NAMI is
one of only 248 national non-profit organizations that received the
BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Seal this year from the charity
monitoring organization affiliated with the Better Business Bureau.
Perhaps you saw BBB’s ad in USA Today two weeks ago which heralded
the exclusive list. NAMI also received three out of four stars from
Charity Navigator and is its number one rated mental health
organization.
Thank you for the tremendous work you do, day in and day out. If you
have any thoughts or questions, I hope you will be in touch.
Thanks,
Mike
Michael J. Fitzpatrick, MSW
Executive Director
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 2201
mfitzpatrick@nami.org
703-516-7977
US Senate Probe Discovers:
Most NAMI Money is From Psychiatric Drug Industry
By MindFreedom News
NAMI has admitted to a US Senate probe that a majority of their funds
over the last five years, 56 percent on average, have been from drug
corporations. NAMI has agreed with the probe to immediately begin
quarterly postings to their web site with a list of drug company
donations and amounts.
MindFreedom obtained a letter sent last week by NAMI executive
director Michael J. Fitzpatrick to "NAMI Leaders and Members." The
letter is a response to the probe of NAMI by US Senator Charles
Grassley (R-IA) initiated on 6 April 2009.
In the 28 April letter, copied below, Mr. Fitzpatrick wrote, "As
reported to Senator Grassley, pharmaceutical companies contributed an
average of 56% of national NAMI's budget annually for the period 2005
- 2009."
Mr. Fitzpatrick passionately defends the drug company donations, but
says NAMI has a strategic plan to lower the percentage.
Commented MindFreedom director, David Oaks, "The NAMI board should
have listened to its own Consumer Council which voted for full
disclosure many years ago, but was ignored."
MindFreedom maintains a count of the number of times the NAMI web site
uses the phrase "biologically based" when referring to mental health
problems. Said Oaks, "There are as many theories about the cause of
extreme mental problems as there are colors in the rainbow.
Unfortunately, NAMI's rainbow is mainly green -- drug company money
green. Now we know why."
MindFreedom is encouraging an international "thank you" from everyone
to Senator Grassley for investigating psychiatric drug money
corruption, click here:
http://grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm
~ ~ ~
LETTER FROM NAMI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHAEL J. FITZPATRICK:
April 28, 2009
Dear NAMI Leaders and Members,
On April 6, 2009 Senator Charles Grassley asked NAMI national to
provide information about support it receives from pharmaceutical
companies. For the last three years, Senator Grassley has been
interested in various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry and has
made similar requests to other non-profit groups.
NAMI shares Senator Grassley's interest in transparency and has
cooperated fully with this request. Since the request was made, three
basic questions have been posed that are worth sharing and answering.
Does NAMI accept contributions from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes, we do -- and we're delighted to have this critical support for
our many programs and important work all across the country.
NAMI accepts charitable contributions from individuals, foundations
and corporations, including the pharmaceutical industry, for one
purpose -- to improve the lives of people with mental illness and
their families. These relationships are governed by NAMI's Guidelines
for Business Support Relationships, a NAMI policy originally developed
and approved by the Board of Directors in 2004. This policy ensures
that at all times NAMI will maintain an independent position on issues
affecting the welfare of people with mental illness. A copy of this
policy is available online at http://www.nami.org/BusinessGuidelines.
As you know from our strategic plan ( http://www.nami.org/stratplan ),
NAMI's goal is to reduce the percentage of our budget that is
supported by charitable donations from pharmaceutical companies.
While we deeply appreciate the support we have received, we set this
goal because we understand the value of diversifying our funding
sources -- both for fiscal stability and because we want to shed any
lingering, unfair accusations that somehow NAMI has been "bought" -- I
can assure you: nothing could be further from the truth. NAMI's
advocacy voice is loud and clear and uncompromised.
As reported to Senator Grassley, pharmaceutical companies contributed
an average of 56% of national NAMI's budget annually for the period
2005 to 2009. Many of NAMI's signature education programs, including
Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Connection, In Our Own Voice and
NAMI Basics have national corporate sponsors.
These programs are the essence of your work in your communities. They
are offered free of charge to thousands of consumers and families who
participate in them each year. Without support of these companies, we
would be hard-pressed to bring you these vital programs. Corporate
grants and charitable contributions also support the NAMI Web site,
Mental Illness Awareness Week, and other public education and advocacy
efforts.
Can we see who is giving NAMI what?
Yes, you can.
NAMI National has long made public lists of major corporate and
foundation donors in our annual reports, which you can view online: http://www.nami.org/governance
. In 2009, we have begun posting on the NAMI Web site on a quarterly
basis all foundation and corporate grants and corporate contributions
over $5,000 received by NAMI national. The first list covers January-
March 2009 and can also be viewed at http://www.nami.org/governance.
Now what?
We continue our incredibly important work together, at the national,
state and local level, on behalf of one of the most vulnerable and
discriminated against populations in our country.
NAMI has long enjoyed a great national reputation. In fact, NAMI is
one of only 248 national non-profit organizations that received the
BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Seal this year from the charity
monitoring organization affiliated with the Better Business Bureau.
Perhaps you saw BBB’s ad in USA Today two weeks ago which heralded
the exclusive list. NAMI also received three out of four stars from
Charity Navigator and is its number one rated mental health
organization.
Thank you for the tremendous work you do, day in and day out. If you
have any thoughts or questions, I hope you will be in touch.
Thanks,
Mike
Michael J. Fitzpatrick, MSW
Executive Director
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 2201
mfitzpatrick@nami.org
703-516-7977
March 4, 2009
Good Money for Goodwin
Source: New York Times, November 21, 2008
Psychiatrist Frederick K. Goodwin, who hosts a popular show on National Public Radio called "The Infinite Mind," earned "at least $1.3 million from 2000 to 2007 giving marketing lectures for drug makers income not mentioned on the program," reports Gardiner Harris. This revelation and other news about Goodwin's consulting work makes him "the latest in a series of doctors and researchers whose ties to drug makers have been uncovered by Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa. ... Mr. Grassley is systematically asking some of the nation's leading researchers and doctors to provide their conflict-of-interest disclosures, and he is comparing those documents with records of actual payments from drug companies. The records often conflict, sometimes starkly." Goodwin claims he informed his program's producer, Bill Lichtenstein, of his consulting work for drug companies, a claim that Lichtenstein strongly denies.
Source: New York Times, November 21, 2008
Psychiatrist Frederick K. Goodwin, who hosts a popular show on National Public Radio called "The Infinite Mind," earned "at least $1.3 million from 2000 to 2007 giving marketing lectures for drug makers income not mentioned on the program," reports Gardiner Harris. This revelation and other news about Goodwin's consulting work makes him "the latest in a series of doctors and researchers whose ties to drug makers have been uncovered by Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa. ... Mr. Grassley is systematically asking some of the nation's leading researchers and doctors to provide their conflict-of-interest disclosures, and he is comparing those documents with records of actual payments from drug companies. The records often conflict, sometimes starkly." Goodwin claims he informed his program's producer, Bill Lichtenstein, of his consulting work for drug companies, a claim that Lichtenstein strongly denies.
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