NY's Schumer recuses from review of cable deal

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

NY's Schumer recuses from review of cable deal
By GEORGE M. WALSH, Associated Press | February 18, 2014 | Updated: February 18, 2014 6:58pm

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Tuesday he is recusing himself from any role Congress plays in Comcast Corp.'s planned acquisition of rival Time Warner Cable Inc. after learning his brother was one of the lead lawyers behind the $45 billion deal.

Federal regulators and lawmakers will scrutinize how the acquisition would affect competition and consumers, issues that could have come before the New York Democrat as a member of the Senate's Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee.

Schumer's office said he didn't know his brother Robert represented Time Warner Cable in the talks until The American Lawyer reported Friday he was the publication's "dealmaker of the week." Robert Schumer is co-chair of the mergers and acquisitions practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

"Senator Schumer has not discussed this matter with his brother at all," said spokeswoman Meredith Kelly. "He found out that his brother was involved with the deal on Friday, upon being shown The American Lawyer story, and made a decision to recuse himself from all aspects of the deal in order to avoid even an appearance of conflict of interest."


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/NY-s-Schumer-recuses-from-review-of-cable-deal-5245948.php

[Enthusiast]

1. I would want to distance myself from such a deal too, Charles Schumer.

It is certain to be harmful to the consumer. And we are growing a bit tired of being abused.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

2. So as soon as he found out his brother was involved

He recused himself. Sounds like he did the right thing.

[NorthCarolina]

4. It's more like 'as soon as the news broke' that his brother was involved...... nt

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

6. No, I genuinely believe that it was "as soon as he learnt"

Clearly, he learnt about it when the news broke, but I am apparently less cynical about it.

[markpkessinger]

7. Do you have any evidence that this was the case?

I mean, it would have been a fairly extreme breach of the attorney-client privilege if Schumer's brother had discussed a current client matter with him. I think if you are going to level that kind of accusation of misconduct, you really should have some evidence for it.

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. That's lot of greenbacks. I had a feeling Schumer's kin wasn't doing Legal Aid.

It'll be interesting to see how effectively Comcasttimewarnercable Inc. will now serve the consumer.

[durablend]

5. Buy your supply of Vaseline now

Don't wait for the rush!