Republican Hid The Fact He Holds BP (NYSE:BP) Stock

Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin, Ron Johnson, released his business portfolio Friday which includes shares of BP (NYSE:BP) stock, as well as two other oil companies totaling $181,000 to $466,000. It's being said that he is putting his own financial interest before the interest of the state.

Mike Tate of the Democratic Party said, " This is a fact he failed to mention and tried to hide from voters for the last month and a half, all the while shilling for big oil interests." His financial holdings are being questioned because of his criticism of President Obama and his stance towards BP. He pressured the company to set up the victim claims fund, while saying BP should be held accountable. While he objects to the their Administration Method's.

Johnson pointed out how Democrats statewide are benefiting from the Wisconsin Retirement Fund which holds BP stock. Tate's response, " We're not talking about a mutual fund when it comes to Ron Johnson, these are direct personal investments in oil companies."

Johnson states that his profile is diverse and he does not only hold stock in oil companies. When Tate was questioned if Johnson would sell the stock if that would take care of the problem he said, " I don't think it does, because this is something he makes money from. He makes money from BP regardless of what he does going forward, it's obvious he's just going to be to try to make up for the fact that he hid from voters that he owns substantial interest in this company and he has been publicly defending this company."

Judge Feldman Owned Exxon (NYSE:XOM) Stock: Groups Want Him Off The Moratorium Case

Environmental groups are asking U.S. District Judge Feldman to recuse himself citing financial conflicts, due to evidence showing he owned stock in Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM). Feldman has received much criticizing for his ruling putting a block on the six month moratorium issued by the president.

In the U.S. District Court filing against Feldman, the groups state that his investments in oil and gas companies prove his ruling to show prejudice. According to the Judges 2009 financial holdings, he held stock in Exxon Mobil during the days leading up to his ruling. After the public release of his financial records, Feldman said that he learned about his investments in Exxon Mobil on June 21st, the day prior to his ruling. He sold the stock the following morning.

Federal Judges, under the Federal law are not allowed to rule in cases where there could be a financial interest in the parties or the outcome. If there is an appearance of conflict they are prohibited from ruling on or being involved in those cases.

Some legal experts are saying that Feldman's decision to sell his stocks before making his ruling absolves him of any legal wrongdoing. "I doubt a recusal motion would survive under those circumstances," said Deborah Rhode, a law professor at Stanford Law School and director of the Stanford Center on the Legal Profession.