Lawmakers are asking a federal watchdog to look into FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, saying he may have broken ethics rules by waiting too long to sell stock in his former company, potentially boosting his payout.
Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have asked the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General to review whether Bedford held onto equity in Republic Airways past the deadline required under his confirmation ethics agreement, according to a report from The Hill.
Bedford, who previously served as CEO of Republic Airways, was required to divest his holdings within 90 days of confirmation. At the time, his stake was estimated to be worth between $6 million and $30 million.
The senators say Bedford missed an October deadline and instead completed the sale in February, after Republic Airways finalized a merger with Mesa Air Group. They argue the timing may have significantly boosted the value of his shares, with estimates suggesting a payout exceeding $25 million.
In their letter, the lawmakers also raised concerns that Bedford may have benefited from the delay and questioned whether he provided full and consistent disclosures regarding his financial interests and recusal obligations.
“The reason for this divestiture obligation is obvious,” the senators wrote, citing the FAA administrator’s authority over the aviation sector and potential conflicts of interest involving airlines under agency oversight.
Bedford has previously stated he followed guidance from ethics officials and complied with recusal requirements where appropriate.
When Mr. Bedford was confirmed as administrator, it was well known that he had lied about his FAA airman credentials in his company’s literature. I don’t know if this report about allegations that he delayed his divestiture beyond the 90 day limit is true, but no one should be shocked if that is the case.
I am in no way defending Mr. Bedford, but I do recognize the irony of the fact that the very body that confirmed his appointment to that position last year is now questioning his ethics. That irony is magnified by the fact that our legislators [of either party] are hardly paragons of virtue.
Absolutely correct. Why in the world would someone who lied for over 20 years about his credential be confirmed by Congress.. And what message did that send to the employees at FAA? For some who have been lying about their background for years, keep on marching. For others- Oh it’s ok to be a liar and a fraud.
Thanks again Congress- you useless, feckless frauds!!!
And now we have Mr. Duffy wanting to have passengers pay an extra fee for ATC modernization??? WTH!!! What happened to the billions of $$$$ that was approved previously - starting MORE THAN 25 years ago under the original NEXGEN report that was sent to Congress as a foundational paper for more $$$$$$$$$$$$$ ??? It went to various companies that didn’t do squat, spent on useless programs and equipment that didn’t work so now we’re going to TAX the passengers???
They ALL should be in prison for the manner in which they have fleeced ALL of us- the taxpayers.
If Democrats spent half the time they spend looking for the ‘wrong’ in other people, specifically Republicans and Trump nominees and appointees, and used it toward governing and moving this country forward, many of our issues would be behind us and America would be great again.
He should probably be elected to Congress! Or maybe his wife delayed the stock sale? Just ask Pelosi…Apparently no Democrats did…
Shocker, Mr. Bedford may have lied about the divestment.
And what about the bill that has been stalled in Congress prohibiting representatives and senators from stock market trading? How else do some representatives leave office as millionaires? Not defending Mr Bedford but a bit of hypocrisy here!