Report: Tipton, Perlmutter have potential conflict

By The AP
Saturday, June 18, 2011

DENVER — A newspaper reports that two of Colorado’s nine member Congressional delegation have potential conflicts between their finances and assignments in Congress.

The Denver Post reports that Republican Rep. Scott Tipton owns oil and natural gas stocks and assets worth up to $755,055, including up to $130,000 in Exxon Mobil, according to his 2010 financial disclosure. Democrat Ed Perlmutter hasn’t filed his 2010 disclosure but in 2009 he reported up to $350,000 in U.S. Bank stock.

Tipton serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, while Perlmutter serves on the Financial Services Committee. Watchdog group Public Citizen tells the Post that the Congressmen’s potential to benefit from decisions on their committees may be unethical but it’s not illegal.

Both tell the paper there’s nothing improper about their financial holdings.