Posts for marc

Sometimes our world twists and turns in strange ways. Athletes all tend to know each other. Media folks know media folks. Doctors know doctors. Scholars know scholars. And rich people know rich people as they sit in small rooms, naked, and set the global agenda.

That last one became quite apparent with yesterday’s interesting news that Mitt Romney’s now infamous fundraising speech was given at the Boca Raton home of Marc Leder, the hundred millionaire co-owner of the Sixers who reportedly paid for his Wharton School tuition with blackjack money. Boss.

[Phawker has a fun Photoshop of Romney wearing Sixers gear.]

Leder apologized to Romney and – get this – may press charges against the person who took the video. And who is that person? Good question. Not surprisingly, Leder blames the help.

Here are the details from Laura Goldman, whose legitimacy we once questioned for a story about Ryan Madson’s wife, but Goldman’s blog, Naked Philadelphian, has since churned out interesting stuff:

Marc Leder, whose home was the site of the infamous 47% Romney video, has apologized to the Republican presidential candidate for the lapse in security at the fundraiser. Before Mitt Romney spoke at the fundraiser, guests were reminded that Mitt Romney's comments were off the record. Those present were asked not to repeat his remarks to the press. Feder believes that the video was made by someone who was hired to work the party. He is in the process of narrowing down the suspects and is contemplating contacting law enforcement.

Leder, the co-founder of Sun Capital, issued an official statement about the video: “I hosted a fundraiser for an old friend in May. I believe all Americans should have the opportunity to succeed, to improve their lives, and to build even better lives for their children. I have supported people from both political parties who share this view and make it a priority, even though their ideas on how to achieve it may differ.”

Actually, if you watch the videos, the camera does appear to be placed in an area near where servers were working. So, Leder may be right in blaming the 47%ers in attendance.

Of course, Leder, rightfully or not, has been placed in the middle of a presidential campaign, and with that comes all sorts of fun stuff. Like this, about Leder’s partying ways, from today’s NY Post:

But nothing compared with the final bash July 30, as Page Six reported:

“Guests cavorted nude in the pool and performed sex acts, scantily dressed Russians danced on platforms and men twirled lit torches to a booming techno beat.”

Witnesses said a man and woman stripped, jumped into the pool and later performed sex acts on a lounge chair before stunned fellow partygoers.

A friend said Leder “went wild” after his 22-year marriage collapsed in 2009 and his ex-wife admitted to cheating on him with her 23-year-old tennis coach.

I’m totally convinced at this point that all rich people go to Eyes Wide Shut-style parties like us normal folk go to T.G.I. Friday’s. And that’s OK– I can promise you (not speaking from experience) that a Russian hooker tastes better than anything on the highly overrated Jack Daniel’s Grill (I know, this is a sore spot for some folks, and I apologize for offending your foolish palate). So, we can’t blame Leder for partying it up with presidential candidates and nude dancers. But dude, being duped by the tennis pro? That’s so cliché.