Carl Lindner, Jr.

Carl Lindner, Jr. (born 1919 in Dayton, Ohio) is a successful Cincinnati businessman and is among the world's richest people. According to the 2006 issue of "Forbes" Magazine's 400 list, which lists the 400 richest people in America, he was ranked 133 and was worth an estimated $2.3 billion [ [http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/10/2004/LIR.jhtml?passListId=10&passYear=2004&passListType=Person&uniqueId=S22J&datatype=Person Forbes.com: Forbes World's Richest People 2004 ] ] . He helped to expand his family's ice cream business into United Dairy Farmers, a large chain of convenience stores in Cincinnati, Ohio. With his three sons, he controls roughly 42% of American Financial Group, an insurance company. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Chiquita Brands International when that company began making payments to Colombian terrorist groups. [cite web| last = Pitney| first = Nico | title = McCain Backer's Firm Pleaded Guilty To Funding Terrorist Group In Colombia| publisher = The Huffington Post| date = July 2, 2008| url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/02/mccain-fundraiser-oversaw_n_110354.html | accessdate =2008-07-08]

Lindner was a part owner and Chief Executive Officer of the Cincinnati Reds until he sold a majority interest to a group led by Robert Castellini on November 2, 2005 and stepped down as CEO. At the time it was announced that Lindner would remain an active partner in the organization [ [http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051102/SPT04/51102012 The Enquirer - This article is no longer available ] ] . In 1997, Lindner was inducted into Junior Achievement's U.S. Business Hall of Fame.

Philanthropy

Lindner has donated a great deal to many charitable causes and political campaign funds. In addition, the Lindner family has supported several Cincinnati private schools, including Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, which was founded by the Lindners, and Cincinnati Country Day School. Also, Mr. Lindner generously supports the Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS program within the University of Cincinnati's College of Business. His Great American Insurance Company was once the title sponsor of the prestigious Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament. [ [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/president/players/lindner.html Carl Lindner ] ]

Republican financial support

Carl Lindner and his family have been strong supporters of the Republican Party for quite some time. During the 2004 election cycle, the Lindner family contributed tens of thousands of dollars to various Republican groups, including the Republican National Committee and several Republican politicians. In 2004, the Republican National Committee named Lindner as one of 62 "Super Rangers", the highest level of fundraising recognition, accorded to those who raise $300,000 or more for the Republican Party. [Citation| last = Edsall| first = Thomas B. | title = Republicans Name 62 Who Raised Big Money | newspaper = The Washington Post| pages = A06| year = 2004| date = July 1, 2004| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19026-2004Jun30.html] Lindner, a close ally of George W. Bush, secured the use of Great American Ballpark for Bush's re-election campaign on October 31 2004, two days before the 2004 Presidential Election.

In 2005, Lindner was among 53 entities that contributed the maximum of $250,000 to the second inauguration of President George W. Bush. [cite news |first=Jim |last=Drinkard |title=Donors get good seats, great access this week |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |date=2005-01-17 |accessdate=2008-05-25 ] [cite news |title=Financing the inauguration |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |date= |accessdate=2008-05-25 ] [cite news |title=Some question inaugural's multi-million price tag |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |date=2005-01-14 |accessdate=2008-05-25 ]

In the Republican primary race of the 2008 Presidential election, he has been a top supporter of Mitt Romney, now John McCain.

candals

He has also been implicated in the financing of terrorist organizations in Colombia. In fact, the financing began while he was the president of Chiquita Brands' board of directors. [ [http://www.colectivodeabogados.org/article.php3?id_article=1364 Chiquita Board Members: Total Identification] ]

References