Living in Southern California from 2007 to 2013, I was at Ground Zero for the mortgage meltdown. I saw loved ones lose their livelihoods, and I worked multiple jobs while going back to school for a second degree. When the Occupy movement sprung up blocks from my downtown loft, I underwent a political awakening that would eventually lead me to abandon a career in fashion design to embark on one in progressive political activism. That road brought me to D.C.
Ten years after the crisis, I still have a burning desire to see justice served to Big Banks, particularly since Barack Obama and Eric Holder never prosecuted executives like Jamie Dimon and Lloyd Blankfein, who helmed demonstrably criminal enterprises. Of course, the consequences of the jail-free bailouts for Wall Street at the expense of working- and middle-class America have reverberated over the last decade with increasing economic inequality, the rise of populist movements on the left and right, and the election of Donald Trump.
But apparently many members of Congress have short memories.
Outside of the House Financial Services Committee hearing on "Holding Megabanks Accountable: A Review of Global Systemically Important Banks 10 years after the Financial Crisis," I asked representatives if they support prosecuting the top executives of banks personally when they oversee financial fraud at their institutions. Not a gotcha question, of course, not IF you support holding criminals accountable for their crimes.
Many of these pols, regardless of party, were reluctant to answer and looking for the exits. (Thanks to those who spoke forthrightly against fraud.) You can enjoy watching them squirm below:
Featuring interviews with Chairwoman Maxine Waters, and Reps. Bradley Byrne, Joaquin Castro, Gil Cisneros, James Comer, Joe Courtney, Jeff Duncan, Russ Fulcher, Chuy Garcia, Joe Kennedy III, Dan Lipinski, Ben McAdams, Tom O'Halleran, David McKinley, Scott Peters, Denver Riggleman, Brad Sherman, Juan Vargas, and Lee Zeldin.