Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley has notified the Senate ethics committee regarding questionable contacts by LightSquared concerning Grassley’s interest in the project.  Since last April, Grassley has been reviewing why the Federal Communications Commission rushed approval of the LightSquared project without adequately exploring what turned out to be widespread concerns of interference with the Global Positioning System devices widely used by the military, first responders, aviation, precision agriculture, and consumer navigation.

According to a news release from Grassley’s office, LightSquared made – a questionable contact that intimated benefits for Grassley if he softened his inquiry of government approval of the project. Grassley has written Philip Falcone of Harbinger Capital Partners, expressing concern that two separate incidents implied a desire to have Grassley “pull punches” in his investigation.

The second contact was from someone who intimated that he represented LightSquared in a call to Grassley’s staff.  The individual, Todd Ruelle, hinted that if LightSquared were allowed to proceed, Grassley’s home state of Iowa could get a “call center.” Grassley’s office advised Ruelle not to contact the office further. Grassley said he – won’t be a part of that.

Courtesy: NAFB News