# Christopher Collins **Christopher Carl Collins** is a former Republican U.S. Representative from New York's 27th district (2013–2019) and the **first sitting member of Congress to endorse [[Donald Trump]]**, in February 2016. Collins sat on the board of Innate Immunotherapeutics, an Australian biotech, and was its largest shareholder. On **June 22, 2017**, while attending the White House Congressional Picnic, he received an email reporting that the company's multiple sclerosis drug had failed its clinical trial. He immediately called his son, who dumped roughly 1.39 million shares before the public announcement; the resulting tipping chain avoided more than **$768,000** in losses. Collins then lied to the FBI about it. He pleaded guilty on **October 1, 2019** — resigning the same day — to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements, and was sentenced in January 2020 to **26 months** and a **$200,000 fine**. [[Donald Trump]] pardoned him on **December 22, 2020**, after roughly two months served. See [[Republican Officeholder Fraud]]. > [!note] Stub — fill out > Needs: the Innate Immunotherapeutics investor network among House Republicans; Tom Price connection; the 2018 re-election run while under indictment; SEC parallel action; NY-27 special election aftermath.