The FBI are investigating Bernie Sanders, former Democrat Presidential Candidate and Independent Senator from Vermont, and his wife, Jane Sanders, for bank fraud. According to CBS News, Senator Sanders and his wife have both called on attorneys to represent them during this probe, which has been ongoing since 2016, but kept hush.
During an interview in May with Burlington’s WCAX-TV, Sanders dismissed the allegations as “nonsense,” suggesting they are politically motivated.
Jeff Weaver, Sanders’ top adviser, said the pair have sought legal protection over federal agents’ allegations from a complaint in January 2016 that accused Ms. Sanders of distorting donor levels in a 2010 loan application for $10 million from People’s United Bank for the purchase of 33 acres of land for the Burlington College, of which she was president between 2004 and 2011.
According to Politico, prosecutors may also be investigating allegations that Sen. Sanders’ office improperly urged the bank to approve the funding.
Brady Toensing of Burlington, was a chairman for Trump’s [residential campaign in his state when he filed the claims surrounding the loan in 2016.
“I filed a request for an investigation in January 2016 and an investigation appears to have been started right away,” he said according to CBS News. “It was started under President Obama, his Attorney General, and his US Attorney, all of whom are Democrats.”
“My only hope is for a fair, impartial, and thorough investigation,” Toensing added.
Weaver describes Toensing’s claim that Sanders used his influence to push for the loan is a “political charge” that is “baseless” and “false.”
He also said, “the loan was approved by the financial board at the college,” in regard to Ms. Sanders’ supposed manipulation of the loan approval.
