File this under the Republican Culture of Corruption...
A former investment banker who admitted to "loaning" himself millions from his client's accounts without their knowledge is a fundraiser and donor for John McCain's presidential campaign and the Republican party.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/...
Here was a man who raised tens of millions of dollars based purely on his reputation, who wrote hefty checks to charities and political candidates. Now, when he might otherwise be looking for one final score to cap a brilliant career, Berkman is in disgrace.
http://wweek.com/...
Craig Berkman owes millions to some of Portland’s wealthiest investors—but that hasn’t stopped him from making generous political contributions to Sen. John McCain and others.
http://wweek.com/...
For Craig Berkman, giving money to politicians must be as crucial as keeping food on the table and a (palatial) roof over his head. Willamette Week has the rather stunning story that Berkman, the former Oregon GOP chairman burdened with millions in debts and a civil judgment that he defrauded investors, has given along with his wife $50,000 to political causes.
Berkman, who also ran for governor in 1994, now lives in Florida, where he has a $3.9 million home that state laws protect from creditors. He's maxed out in contributions to the John McCain campaign, giving $4,600 to the candidate and another $4,600 to a separate McCain "compliance" fund used to pay the costs of meeting campaign finance regulations. WW reports that his biggest check was $23,900 to the Republican National Committee on May 29 - right in the middle of his trial in Portland that wound up resulting in a $28 million judgment against him.
When I talked to Berkman during the trial, I was struck by how it seemed he was trying to keep his old swagger in the face of all his troubles. Maybe continuing to be a player in political circles is part of it.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/...
This guy makes Rezko and Hsu look like angels.
Will the corporate media call John McCain on this?
H/T to skywaker9...
Looks like he was trying to cover his bases, donating to three different candidates.
Berkman, Craig L.
ODESSA, FL
33558 Ventures Trust Fund/Business Execut $2,300 11/05/2007 P HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT INC. - Republican
BERKMAN, CRAIG L. MR.
ODESSA, FL
33556 VENTURES TRUST/C.E.O. $2,300 09/19/2007 P RUDY GIULIANI PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE INC - Republican
BERKMAN, CRAIG L
VANCOUVER, WA
98660 $2,300 07/31/2007 P JOHN MCCAIN 2008 INC. - Republican
Berkman, Craig L.
VANCOUVER, WA
98660 Self-employed/Investor $10,000 07/17/2007 P REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA - Republican
BERKMAN, CRAIG L. MR.
VANCOUVER, WA
98660 SYNECTIC ASSET MGMT. INC./BUSINESS $4,600 07/13/2007 P JOHN MCCAIN 2008 INC. - Republican