Gingrich's financial angel — a casino mogul with legal woes

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42377799/ns/politics-decision_2012/

As he prepares to launch a campaign for president, Newt Gingrich is counting on the backing of an unusually powerful behind-the-scenes donor: a billionaire casino mogul whose business empire stretches from the Palazzo on Las Vegas’s famous Strip to the Chinese gambling hub of Macau.

Gingrich’s financial angel is the publicity-shy Sheldon Adelson, chairman of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., and the fifth wealthiest man in America as recently ranked by Forbes Magazine.

Adelson, who has an estimated net worth of over $23 billion, has personally pumped $7 million over the past five years into Gingrich’s main political advocacy organization, American Solutions for Winning the Future. His contributions account for more than ten percent of all the organization's funds and have helped the former speaker promote his conservative causes and stay in the public eye.

Adelson has also provided Gingrich the use of his aircraft for travel at times, according to a report todayby the Center for Public Integrity.

Adelson and his gambling company have been plagued by legal troubles in recent months. The Sands recently disclosed that it is being investigated by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission for possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

[gratuitous]

1. Reason number 37 why Gingrich won't run

He's indulging his ego, going on teevee and bloviating without consequence. If he was a declared candidate, there just might be someone digging into this kind of stuff, to find out whose hand is up the meat puppet's backside. Until then, Newt gets to fly around the country, pop off with his stupid opinion, and pick up honoraria. What could be better? As soon as he has to start filing the required paperwork, you can bet that he's suddenly going to remember that dental appointment he's been putting off.

Why the popular media give this guy any oxygen at all is another matter entirely.