Ex-US Rep. Collins gets over 2 years in insider trading case

LARRY NEUMEISTER and JIM MUSTIAN Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A former congressman who was one of President Donald Trump's first supporters was sentenced Friday to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed. Christopher Collins, 69, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick in Manhattan after the Republican pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and lying to law enforcement officials. Collins broke down and apologized to his family and his former constituents and colleagues. "I stand here today as a disgraced former member of Congress," he said. "My life has been shattered."