U.S. widens probe of Sen. Frist's suspicious stock sale

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23628601.htm

WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - A federal investigation into Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's sale of HCA Inc. <HCA.N> stock widened on Friday when the largest U.S. hospital chain said federal prosecutors had subpoenaed the company for related documents.

Frist, a Tennessee Republican and a potential 2008 presidential candidate, has come under fire for sale of his stock in the company shortly before HCA warned that earnings would miss expectations.

The sale has also drawn the attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has sought information from Frist. His spokesman has denied Frist had any inside information when he initiated the sale.

The lawmaker on June 13 requested the sale of all of his remaining stock in HCA, which was held in blind trusts, his spokeswoman Amy Call said. By July 8 the shares held for himself, his wife, and children were sold by trustees, the spokeswoman added.