University of Houston: Paid to Support Wall Street
While this University’s financial ties to speculators have been the subject of scrutiny by the news media and others, it was not until last month, after repeated requests by The Times under the Freedom of Information Act, that the University of Houston, a public institution, insisted that Mr. Pirrong, a prominent defender of speculators, submit disclosure forms that shed some light on those financial ties.
Professora Pirrong and Scott H. Irwin o the University of Illinois — have made names by defending the role that major players on Wall Street and elsewhere play in growing our economy by underwriting and promoting academic work.
The Times reports that support for Professors Pirrong and Irwin are part of a sweeping campaign to shape policies that affect the prices that people around the world pay for essentials like food, fuel and cotton.
Professors Pirrong and Irwin say that industry backing did not color their opinions.