Big GOP Donor Faced Trouble Back Home

Washington Post: Venture Capitalist Gave To McCain, RNC As He Faced Fraud Lawsuit From Investment Partners Big GOP Donor Faced Trouble Back Home (Washingtonpost.com) This story was written by Matthew Mosk. On the day Republican Sen. John McCain surged to victory in Florida's presidential primary, a group of supporters gathered at the elegant Tampa Club for a luncheon held by Gov. Charlie Crist and Sen. Mel Martinez. Mingling with some of the state's business and political elite that January day was a Florida newcomer, an Oregon venture capitalist named Craig Berkman. Unbeknown to the guests, Berkman's life was crashing around him. For two years, Berkman had been battling his investment partners after admitting that he had lent himself $5 million of their money without telling them. A civil fraud case against him was about to... [read full story]