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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSheldon Adelson Spent Far More On Campaign Than Previously Known
$150 MILLION BUSTCasino magnate Sheldon Adelson vowed to spend as much as $100 million to defeat President Barack Obama and help the GOP take control of Congress. According to two GOP fundraisers with close ties to the Las Vegas billionaire, he made good on that promise -- and then some. Adelson ultimately upped the ante, spending closer to a previously unreported $150 million, the fundraisers said.
Adelson, a fierce critic of Obamas foreign and domestic policies, has said that his humongous spending was spurred chiefly by his fear that a second Obama term would bring "vilification of people that were against him." As that second term begins, Adelson's international casino empire faces a rough road, with two federal criminal investigations into his business.
This coming week, Adelson plans to visit Washington, according to three separate GOP sources familiar with his travel schedule. While here, hes arranged Hill meetings with at least one House GOP leader in which he is expected to discuss key issues, including possible changes to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the anti-bribery law that undergirds one federal probe into his casino network, according to a Republican attorney with knowledge of his plans.
During the election, Adelson told Politico that the Justice Department investigation, and the way he felt treated by prosecutors, was a primary motivation for his investment in Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and other GOP candidates. He put his money where his mouth was. The two GOP fundraisers, both with strong ties to Adelson, said that the casino mogul dished out close to $150 million, including between $30 million and $40 million to the Karl Rove-founded Crossroads GPS and at least $15 million to grassroots efforts with financial links to Charles and David Koch. Among other major beneficiaries of Adelsons largess were the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which received almost $5 million from Adelson, and the Republican Jewish Coalition, which got the bulk of its $6.5 million budget from him, the fundraisers said.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/03/sheldon-adelson-2012-election_n_2223589.html
Kennah
(14,315 posts)renate
(13,776 posts)Romney's, Ann's, or this guy's. It's not just that they're members of the opposing party, it's that they thought they were special and entitled... as though even in a democracy their money made them more equal than others.
It's probably healthy for them to finally find out that money can't buy everything.
OutNow
(868 posts)Bye Bye Sheldon. You might be able to buy a lot of things with all your money, but you couldn't buy the election. Perp walk.
Mothdust
(133 posts)He is a gambler
Raster
(20,998 posts)...are not gamblers, per se. They know the game is ALWAYS rigged in favor of the house, and as a rule, do not play.
Adelson, who spent multi-millions, did so in attempt to stave off those nasty Justice Department investigations into his business affairs, specifically questions about his "relationships" with China, re: his Macau casinos. His sponsorship of The Good Ship Rmoney constituted more of an investment, albeit a bad one.
Mothdust
(133 posts)Like he's really more comparable to a drug pusher who never touches the stuff. Yeah ? : )
Raster
(20,998 posts)...in his casino.
SparkyOR
(81 posts)so call me a socialist, but I AM in favor of redistribution of wealth, downward for a change.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)(1) that all of Sheldon's checks cleared by now...NOT!
(2) that the money man finds himself in much more cramped prison quarters
(3) that Citizens United is overturned
DollarBillHines
(1,922 posts)What do you want?
What do you expect to cash?
Really...
I really, really want to know...
DBH
Raine
(30,540 posts)mug to show for it.
GoCubsGo
(32,094 posts)They main reason he was trying to buy Willard the presidency was to get a new Justice Dept., which would drop the charges that are coming against him for casino-related fraud in Macau.
Cha
(297,692 posts)Shapeshifter!
dchill
(38,539 posts)Kinda says it all for me... And yet, it leaves out the amoral and avaricious aspects...
dawg
(10,624 posts)Totally classless.
6000eliot
(5,643 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Last edited Mon Dec 3, 2012, 11:42 PM - Edit history (1)
The government needs to grab this guy quick before he makes it easier for more crooks to get away with twisting our laws to allow more criminality.
Going to the link this guy and his associates are par of the most dangerous underground of criminal activity in the USA and internationally. These are big time crooks, bigger than Al Capone.
Adelson is on the same level as Bain and Romney as reported in our threads by our DU member Laser Hass seeking to bring Mitt to justice for destroying jobs and businesses. But with the election over and Romney out, it is hard to generate the interest to stop these crooks.
But it may be key to a lot of the grief working people have suffered and will continue to suffer from these vultures.
TomCADem
(17,390 posts)...and discuss changes in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act? Almost sounds like an admission of guilt.
dchill
(38,539 posts)Witness "Citizens United."
mahina
(17,699 posts)to get her ass kicked by Mazie Hirono!
She didn't just lose...she got smoked so bad she can't come back!
Thanks Shel...
dchill
(38,539 posts)Last edited Mon Dec 3, 2012, 01:31 PM - Edit history (1)
For which I'm thankful. Perhaps big money carries an ineradicable smirch. I dearly hope so.
mahina
(17,699 posts)But it also hurt her that she was so bad to the kids here.
They don't even close the schools in the Philipines when money is tight.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)(very fine, indeed)
That will make my upcoming trip to the islands that much sweeter.
mahina
(17,699 posts)She can enjoy life with her girlfriend in peace and quiet now~ wonder if she'll come out?
Have a great trip home Kama'aina!
kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Historic NY
(37,453 posts)during his pending visit. I'd watch closely as he tries to influence the conduct of the formal criminal investigation.
NICO9000
(970 posts)Could you imagine the good he could do for the country if he decided to use, say $35B to actually help the country that made him so obscenely wealthy?
MOVE TO AMEND CU NOW!!!!
dawg
(10,624 posts)McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)There needs to be a law forbidding casinos from exploiting Citizens United since it is too easy for a drug lord or Chinese businessman to drop millions at a casino with the understanding that a portion of it will flow to a candidate.
Sheepshank
(12,504 posts)Stupid is, as stupid does.
How completely embarassing, being the real life, current day example of those old adages,
Champion Jack
(5,378 posts)1ProudAtheist
(346 posts)Z-E-R-O.........can you say......PRICELESS?
JPZenger
(6,819 posts)John2
(2,730 posts)glad I'm not the Attorney General. I'll have him under the jail and confiscate all his wealth to pay down the Debt. Let him start all over if he lives that long.
name not needed
(11,660 posts)CarmanK
(662 posts)This was just an investment by him to stay out of jail, should DOJ succeed in its prosecution of ADELSON for violations in CHINA of AFCPA. I sure hope they get him.
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)pockets) with him. It's a sneak trip using tax payer dollars to transport her fat ass over there and put her up for a week in some hotsy totsy joint. Hope someone gets some pics.
BainsBane
(53,072 posts)He's so persecuted. DOJ just doesn't understand that prostitution and laundering drug money isn't illegal if you're really, really rich and politically connected.
$150 million
GatorLarry
(55 posts)All he was doing was trying to buy his way out of the DOJ investigation.
You lost your bet Mr. Adelson! Surely as a casino owner you can understand that. Now you should be prosecuted as fully as you would have been let-off had Romney won.
As should WalMart for their foreign corrupt practices (massive bribery) in Mexico . .
Why is it these are almost always Republicans? Hmmmmm.