NYT article on Romney's fellow vulture capitalist Marc Leder

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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/business/in-a-romney-believer-private-equitys-risks-and-rewards.html

January 21, 2012
In a Romney Believer, Private Equity’s Risks and Rewards
By JULIE CRESWELL



... It was through private equity that one Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, amassed his wealth — and, it turns out, it was through private equity that Mr. Romney first met Mr. Leder. A couple of months after the blowout in Bridgehampton, Mr. Leder was host for a fund-raiser at his Boca Raton home for Mr. Romney’s campaign. But the connection goes back even further. Years ago, a visit to Mr. Romney’s investment firm inspired Mr. Leder to get into private equity in the first place. Mr. Romney was an early investor in some of the deals done by Mr. Leder’s investment company, Sun Capital, which today oversees about $8 billion in equity...

In recent years, a large number of the companies that Sun Capital has acquired have run into serious trouble, eliminated jobs or both. Since 2008, some 25 of its companies — roughly one of every five it owns — have filed for bankruptcy.

Among the losers was Friendly’s, the restaurant chain known for its Jim Dandy sundaes and Fribble shakes. (Sun Capital was accused by a federal agency of pushing Friendly’s into bankruptcy last year to avoid paying pensions to the chain’s employees; Sun disputes that contention.) Another company that sank into bankruptcy was Real Mex, owner of the Chevy’s restaurant chain. In that case, Mr. Leder lost money for his investors not once, but twice.

Yet Mr. Leder doesn’t seem to be suffering too much himself. In fact, he is living so large that he can’t avoid the limelight. Last July, he used part of his personal fortune to join a group of investors in buying the Philadelphia 76ers. In December, he was spotted on St. Bart’s with Russell Simmons, of Def Jam and Phat Farm fame, and Rachel Zoe, the celebrity stylist. That again landed him in The New York Post, which dubbed him a “private equity party boy.” ...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-2dwHgbdXE/Te_EP1_YgRI/AAAAAAAACuo/fVybC83HDRQ/s1600/Marc+Leder+Home+Florida.jpg

Sun Capital Partners founder Marc Leder's 15,000 sq. ft. home in Boca Raton, Florida.

[Politicub]

1. Good find K&r

[tk2kewl]

2. k&r

[enough]

3. k&r (nt)