Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was facing legal problems.
In May, the Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund had filed a lawsuit against Thompson, alleging he had sold over $15 million of UnitedHealth stock despite being aware of an active Justice Department antitrust investigation into the health insurance company that he did not disclose to investors or the public.
Though UnitedHealth, the lawsuit alleges, was aware of the Justice Department investigation since at least October 2023, the public would only learn of the case when the Wall Street Journal published a story about it on February 27, 2024. When news of the investigation broke, it erased almost $25 billion in shareholder value. But by that time, Thompson had already cashed out, selling over $15 million in personally held UnitedHealth shares, per the suit.
If true, the account affirms the countless internet memes’ depiction of Thompson as a rapacious health insurance executive fat cat. Literally none of the news media coverage I’ve seen about the murder has included this context, instead tugging at heart strings about the two sons he’ll be leaving behind. Members of Congress have likewise issued anguished statements about the tragic loss of life, remarks that decline to mention the allegations against him or the vast sums of money the company he oversaw has contributed to them and other politicians.
Here are the top political news stories for today.
Kill one person and you’re a murderer, kill 100,000 and you’re “increasing shareholder value”
@DovesJayLibertarian1yr1Y
Part of liberalism's training to focus on individualism. Individual actions are recognized as horrifying, while systems fade into the background to become invisible
The level of rage at rapacious corporations is so deep and so broad that the entire internet is basically celebrating the gunning down of a health insurance CEO, but yeah I’m just not sure if Democrats’ best move is to embrace real economic populism.
The Dems get PAID by the big insurance companies to look the other way. They're not going to change a thing.
I'm surprised and encouraged by the level of outrage. It runs across the political spectrum.
Only an "eat the rich" economic justice warrior populist who punches up can defeat a far-right populist who punches down in this political climate
He was bad but should not have been murdered
A good thinkpiece would be to interview healthcare executives and ask them how it feels to know most Americans would love to see them die
Between denial of benefits, life insurance plot by the wife, and share holder value; the motive is a mystery. Sure they found the script used to deny coverage on the shells but that could just as easily be a ruse rather than a manifesto.
murdered by someone who is very upset about insider trading?
Maybe it was an Alex Murdaugh scenario but the dude he hired to help him fake his death found a higher bidder or just aimed too well.
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