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Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey is invested, through several mutual funds, in the same Chinese fentanyl manufacturer that he recently claimed a company that was led by Republican candidate Dave McCormick was “profiting off people’s pain” by investing in.
The senator’s campaign claimed McCormick “saw a way to get even richer” in the fentanyl crisis, in an ad released earlier this month slamming the company he led, Bridgewater Associates, for investing in Humanwell. The ad connected the Chinese company to deaths from fentanyl occurring in Pennsylvania, noting that “nearly all” fentanyl starts in China.
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However, Casey, through his investments, owns shares in a mutual fund that owns stock in the Chinese company as well, according to publicly available financial disclosures.
Through his ownership of shares in a college savings plan, which is invested in the Massachusetts College Portfolio, a mutual fund managed by Fidelity, Casey is invested in Humanwell. But, his ultimate stake in the company is minimal.
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Sen. Bob Casey was revealed to own stock in the same Chinese company that he attacked his opponent for investing in.(Getty Images)
Maddy McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Democrat’s campaign, told Fox News Digital in a statement, “David McCormick will say anything to try and cover up how he sold out Pennsylvanians for profit, but the facts are clear: he directly invested millions in Chinese fentanyl and profited off Pennsylvanians’ pain. David McCormick decided to invest in a Chinese fentanyl company and Bob Casey never did.”
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As of 2021, Bridgewater Associates had a nearly $1.7 million investment in Humanwell across seven different hedge funds, according to publicly available records with the Department of Labor (DOL). McCormick was CEO of Bridgewater from 2020 to 2022.
“With his ad, Bob Casey has put his own hypocrisy and lies on display, and it’s proof of why Pennsylvanians are so tired of career politicians,” McCormick said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Casey has had 18 years to secure our border and prevent fentanyl from killing 100,000 Americans last year alone – under his weakness, this crisis has worsened beyond imagination.”
Casey is also invested through mutual funds in Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical and Sinopharm Group, which are similarly involved in the manufacturing and wholesale of Chinese narcotics, respectively.
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Bundles of blue pills containing fentanyl intercepted at the border.(U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
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Humanwell, as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, produces medical-grade opiates. It is not one of the Chinese companies that has been singled out by the U.S. as a producer of lethal fentanyl precursor chemicals that are transported illegally through the southern border.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), “illicit fentanyl, primarily manufactured in foreign clandestine labs and smuggled into the United States through Mexico, is being distributed across the country and sold on the illegal drug market.”
Overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids have risen substantially, with the primary cause being illicitly manufactured fentanyl, per the DEA.
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McCormick accused Casey of lying about him and slammed the Democrat for failing to stop fentanyl trafficking over the border.(Getty Images)
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Pennsylvania is shaping up to be one of the most important states in the 2024 election, potentially deciding the presidential race and which party will control the Senate. And one particularly pressing issue in the state is the rapid increase in overdose deaths and substance abuse.
In 2022, Pennsylvania had the 14th-highest drug overdose death rate in the country. There were a total of 5,169 deaths from drug overdoses, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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A map shows which states have higher rates of overdose deaths.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Following Casey’s ad hitting McCormick on investing in Humanwell, the Pennsylvania Republican cut his own ad, claiming, “Bob Casey is lying about me.”
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“I never made any investments in the makers of illegal fentanyl, ever,” he said. “Bob Casey is too weak to close the border and too weak to tell the truth.”
Casey’s Pennsylvania Senate seat is considered “Lean Democratic” in the 2024 election, according to nonpartisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report. In a recent poll by the New York Times and Siena College, Casey led McCormick 51% to 37% among likely voters and 50% to 36% among registered voters.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub
I am amazed by the beauty and rich history of Maine. There is so much to be shared with all the people from away. The citizens of our special state work hard and know how to play hard in all the beautiful seasons: snow sports, camping, hiking, our immense wilderness, all of this must be shared with the world.
Think of Maine’s abundant natural resources, from blueberries, apples, potatoes, lobsters and wood products to the great shipbuilding legacy. Every Mainer, regardless of party affiliation, can agree on the things that set our state apart from others.
That’s why I was so dismayed that Maine was one of a few other states opting out of the Great American Fair, the event celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary on the National Mall.
As the only true political peers of Gov. Janet Mills, Sens. Collins and King and Reps. Pingree and Golden need to let Mills know that this was not a good thing to do to our state, our industries and our people.
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This arbitrary decision was shameful. There are times in life when we have to rise above the fray, take the high and right road and not let negative emotions drive our actions. This was a doable project if delegated to groups with interests on the line to plan, organize and secure funds for exhibition costs. What a missed opportunity for us here in Maine.
Lifeguards rescued a swimmer from the water at Houghton’s Pond in Milton, Massachusetts on Friday.
Massachusetts State Police confirmed they were called to the pond at 1 p.m. When they arrived, they found that lifeguards had pulled a swimmer from the water. The victim, who was conscious and alert, was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
This is the same place an 18-year-old swimmer died after he was pulled from the water last month.
Michael L. Poissant Jr., born in 1965, of Franklin, was arrested at 10:03 p.m. on June 3 on a driving after revocation or suspension-subsequent charge and a stop signs; yield signs violation after an incident or investigation on Merchants Way.
Alison Marie Lombard, born in 1978, of Concord, was arrested at 7:48 p.m. on June 2 on a criminal mischief charge and a bench warrant after an incident or investigation on Loudon Road.
Cathy J. Delisle, born in 1964, of Concord, was arrested at 8 a.m. on June 2 on criminal mischief, simple assault, and domestic violence-simple assault charges after an incident or investigation on Snow Pond Road.
Asende Alinoti, born in 1988, of Concord, was arrested at 9:09 p.m. on May 29 on criminal trespass and breach of bail charges after an incident or investigation at the Morning Star Condominiums on Loudon Road.
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