By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years

The White House contends that all energy loan guarantees are awarded solely on the merits of the project, with no political influence from President Obama, Vice President Joseph R. Biden or other administration officials. But a series of emails from solar power giant BrightSource Energy Inc. show how the company applied political pressure and used behind-the-scenes cajoling to win a $1.6 billion loan guarantee in April 2011.
"The project was completely consistent with Congress' intention when it established the loan guarantee program — to support the commercialization of technically innovative projects," he said.
Biden, Dems enlisted by energy company to win billion-dollar loan deal, emails show →
It also will provide $400 million in interest payments to American taxpayers, he said.
Biden, Dems enlisted by energy company to win billion-dollar loan deal, emails show →