The new chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has issued his first subpoena, and the honor of taking service belonged to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
A copy (PDF) of the seven-page subpoena was released today by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and it seeks documents related to a program at Countrywide Financial Corp. that provided low-cost loans to some public officials. Bank of America acquired Countrywide in 2008, and Akin Gump has been representing the bank on questions related to the loan program.
Steven Ross, a partner who leads Akin Gump’s congressional investigations practice, is listed on the subpoena as accepting service. He referred questions to Bank of America. In a statement Wednesday, the bank said it discontinued the “VIP Loan Program” immediately upon acquiring Countrywide, and it said it was obliged to comply with the subpoena.
A spokesman for Issa said Bank of America is cooperating with the committee’s investigation. The subpoena was required for privacy reasons, as is common in congressional investigations.
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