Senior executives of Solyndra, a bankrupt solar panel maker, have declined to testify at a US Congressional hearing into federal loans to the company.
Chief executive officer Brian Harrison and chief financial officer Bill Stover invoked the Fifth Amendment before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Friday.
Solyndra received $US528 million from the Energy Department in 2009 during a White House push to create green jobs.
But the company declared bankruptcy in September and 1100 employees wwere laid off.
Mr Harrison told the committee: "On advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer any questions." Mr Stover did the same.
The BBC reports Congress is investigating Solyndra amid accusations that the White House rushed through the due diligence process.
