Taking the Public Trust: How a New York Real Estate Developer Is Threatening State Governments in the West


 

Publication Date: November 2006

Publisher: Public Citizen, inc.

Author(s): John O'Donnell

Research Area: Business; Environment; Politics

Keywords: ballot; campaign; real estate; development

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

A wealthy New York developer holds leadership positions in groups that have funneled more than $8.5 million into statewide campaigns in an attempt to enact ballot initiatives in eight states that would eviscerate environmental protections while threatening to bankrupt state treasuries. New York state's Division of Corporations has more than a half-dozen companies that are connected to Rich and registered at the same New York City address he uses. In Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Rich describes himself as "involved in general securities management, venture capital, real estate and business consulting."