A security expert is shocked that a UnitedHealthcare executive does not have confidential information
Klein Investigations CEO Philip Klein joined ‘Fox & Friends First’ to discuss why it was ‘absolutely unusual’ that UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had no personal security during the murder as the perpetrator remains unknown.
As New York investigators continue their search for a suspect in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Thompson’s former chief of staff is raising red flags about “very unusual” security concerns.
“What stands out to me is not being able to provide him with security in New York City while he’s going to talk to a lot of crazy shareholders and crazy customers of a health care company,” Klein Investigations CEO Philip Klein said on Friday’s “Fox.” & Friends first.”
“He denied the guarantee and said, ‘Look, I don’t want security around me? Because he runs one of the largest health care companies, if not, in the world,'” said a security expert. “Or secondly, doesn’t the health care company provide him with security?”
The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in apprehending the unidentified gunman suspected of shooting and killing Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning, denouncing what investigators have deemed a “premeditated, premeditated attack.”
WHO WAS BRIAN THOMPSON, UNITEDHEALTHCARE CEO?
The Hilton Hotel was hosting UnitedHealthcare’s annual investor meeting, and police said Thompson had been in town from Minnesota since Monday and was staying across the street.
Independent security expert Philip Klein said it was “absolutely unusual” for a top company not to have the details of its CEO. (Getty Images)
When examining possible motives, there were reports that executives were accused of insider trading and fraud, and last year the Justice Department launched an investigation into whether the country’s largest insurer was unfairly restricting competitors and operating independently. It is unclear whether Thompson was part of that investigation before he was killed.
“I don’t know of a single Top 20 company that doesn’t have private guards or bodyguards in their house. What I mean by house is, inside their company they don’t have agents escorting their principal or CEO from place A. to point to B, or to go with him or to go to their destination, ” explained Klein. “This is very unusual.”
Former NYPD Lt. Darrin Porcher on the latest developments regarding the alleged shooter of the UnitedHealthcare CEO and the ‘unusual’ gun used.
Thompson’s wife told police and the media that her husband had been receiving threats in the weeks leading up to the shooting. Klein said that’s rare in the current technological and political climate.
“My phone was ringing off the wall yesterday with people who work in the food industry. Their officials are receiving death threats saying, ‘My eggs are too expensive. My milk is too expensive,'” he said.
“These guys are getting threats every day now, every day of the week,” Klein added. “That’s how they get personal security.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Mayor Eric Adams said the United Healthcare CEO’s death was “not a random act of violence,” assuring New Yorkers that the NYPD is “on the job.” (Credit: x/@KaylaMamelak)
While providing personal security for Thompson, Klein recalled the first time he and his team met the slain CEO at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
“I can tell you, not one member of our team didn’t look after it was over and say, ‘That guy’s going somewhere.’ He was kind to us, shook our hands, told us to be careful about everything and was a nice guy.
READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
FOX Business’ Danielle Wallace, Alexis McAdams and Eric Revell contributed to this report.
Source link
