While the FBI affidavit sheds light on many of the questions surrounding Burr’s stock sales, it closely protects at least one relevant piece of information: what kind of nonpublic information Burr had about the coronavirus and where he got it.
But there may be some clues: Specifically, the Justice Department mentions dozens of text messages that Burr exchanged with someone whose name is redacted, but who appears to be a potential source of nonpublic information.
According to the FBI, between Jan. 31, 2020, and April 7, 2020, this person and Burr “exchanged approximately 32 text messages, nearly all of which concerned, in one way or another, the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Nearly everything about the text messages is redacted, but later in the affidavit, the government writes, “those text messages include those discussed above, and included ones regarding other issues, such as efforts to provide face masks to the public, the ‘global outlook’ regarding COVID-19, and a proposed ‘national lockdown.'”
If Burr was receiving this information when it wasn’t being publicly discussed, that could have strengthened the government’s case against him.
It’s still unclear why the Justice Department decided not to prosecute Burr or Fauth, and the department does not typically explain the reasons why it does not prosecute someone.
But on Jan. 19, 2021, nearly a year after the questionable trades, Burr said in a statement, “Tonight, the Department of Justice informed me that it has concluded its review of my personal financial transactions conducted early last year.
“The case is now closed. I’m glad to hear it,” Burr said. “My focus has been and will continue to be working for the people of North Carolina during this difficult time for our nation.”
Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/06/unsealed-fbi-docs-reveal-a-flurry-of-calls-amid-burrs-stock-trades.html