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Mother and Daughter Caught Up in Chris Collins’ Scandal Agree to Forfeit ‘Ill-Gotten’ Gains

Lauren Zarsky was the girlfriend of Collins’ son

Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., was indicted for insider trading, along with his son Cameron and the father of Cameron’s then-girlfriend. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., was indicted for insider trading, along with his son Cameron and the father of Cameron’s then-girlfriend. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

A mother-daughter pair caught up in New York Rep. Chris Collins’ alleged insider trading scandal have agreed to forfeit more than $42,000 of “ill-gotten” gains, according to media reports.

Lauren and Dorothy Zarsky agreed to pay a combined $42,040 to the Securities and Exchange Commission to avoid any federal charges related to Collins’ insider trading accusations, WHAM and the New York Law Journal reported Friday, citing court records.

Lauren Zarsky was the girlfriend and eventual fiancée of Collins’ son, Cameron.

Chris and Cameron Collins and Zarsky’s father Stephen were charged this month with insider trading.

Authorities allege that the Republican congressman, who was chairman of the board of an Australian drug company, alerted his son that a failed drug trial was about to send shares plummeting. The notice allegedly promoted Cameron, members of the Zarsky family and other acquaintances to sell their shares.

Collins ended his re-election campaign Saturday, saying it was “in the best interests of the constituents of NY-27, the Republican Party and President Trump’s agenda.” He added that he would continue to fight the “meritless charges” against him.

In the wake of Collins’ arrest, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales shifted the general election race rating from Solid Republican to Likely Republican.

Watch: Pass the Pie and the Secrets — Collins Allegedly Shared Insider Trading Knowledge While At Congressional Picnic

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