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AP Photo (2) A money feud has busted up first friends Bill Clinton and Ron Burkle, sources tell The Daily Beast. Kim Masters on the alleged $20 million “stiffing” the tycoon gave the ex-president.
In the post-presidency world of the Clintons, no one has been a better or more high-profile Friend of Bill than billionaire Ron Burkle. Burkle helped make the former commander in chief fabulously wealthy, while Clinton helped open doors as the two jetted around the globe on the supermarket and investment titan’s Boeing 757.
But now the symbiotic relationship has ended with great acrimony, three sources with direct access to Clinton tell The Daily Beast, and the cause is the same ingredient that started it: money. Burkle infuriated the former president by allegedly “stiffing Clinton out of $20 million or $25 million,” according to one of the sources.
Suing him—and dragging their dealings and relationship into open court—is an untenable option.
The $20 million in question, a supposed “final payment” in connection with profits from their almost decade-long partnership, was discussed last year by The Wall Street Journal, which reported that Clinton was “walking away” from the money.
One Clinton confidant says a negotiation between the former president and the supermarket magnate went on "for months and months. They compromised and they agreed on different numbers and at the end of the day Clinton decided life's too short. We'll give it up and we'll just sever the relationship.”
Burkle spokesman Frank Quintero responds: “I’m not going to comment on things that aren’t true.” The Burkle camp denied the Clinton sources' version of events, and said that documents would be made available to support their point. Ultimately those documents were not produced prior to publication. The Daily Beast will continue to follow this story and post any relevant documents that are made available.
Burkle met then-candidate Clinton in 1992 and raised tens of millions for the Democratic Party; Green Acres, his 50,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills, was a de facto headquarters for political fundraising. The friendship deepened after Clinton left the White House in January 2001, under fire for last-minute pardons and other scandals, owing millions in legal bills and facing the prospect of raising nearly $180 million for a presidential library in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Burkle helped with all of that. And he hired the former president as an adviser to two domestic investment funds and a partner in a foreign fund. Clinton became Burkle’s rainmaker, while at the same time giving himself, as The New York Times put it, “the potential to make tens of millions of dollars without great effort and at virtually no risk.”
The former president and Burkle were said to be so close that Clinton had his own bedroom in Burkle’s mansion. In 2003, Burkle estimated that he was spending about 500 hours a year with the former president and told Forbes in 2006 that he was with Clinton at least half the time when Clinton was traveling abroad.
On a purely business level, the split between Burkle and Clinton began in 2007, with Hillary Clinton’s run for the White House looming. The relationship wasn’t finally dissolved until she faced confirmation as secretary of State. Clinton’s partnership with Burkle linked him awkwardly with foreign governments—including the ruler of Dubai—and raised other questions about the dealings of Burkle’s Yucaipa Companies. Clinton had received some $15 million since entering into the arrangement in 2002. The other $20 million, Clinton sources say, was supposedly a cut of the profits generated by deals that Clinton had a hand in.
Asked for comment on the rupture, a Clinton spokesman says: “President Clinton and Ron Burkle came to an agreement over a year ago that resolved their business relationship.”
View as Single Page 12 Back to Top March 29, 2010 | 11:21pm Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Share | Emails | print var OutbrainPermaLink=document.location.href.replace(document.location.search, '').replace(/\/\d+\/$/,'/').replace(document.location.host, 'thedailybeast.com'); var OB_Template = "The Daily Beast"; var OB_demoMode = false; var OBITm = "1255455386150"; var OB_langJS ='http://widgets.outbrain.com/lang_en.js'; if ( typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined' ) OutbrainStart(); else { var OB_Script = true; var str = ''; document.write(str); } Ron Burkle, Politics, Business, Bill Clinton (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies Sort Up Sort Down sort by date: 12 liberatorquest
So? Who cares? The Demogogs would have made something nasty about this if it was a Republican that was involved, but I simply don't see the point. All friendships basically end or fade away, they enjoyed it while it lasted I guess. That's life.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 4:11 am, Mar 30, 2010 Estrela79Clinton deserves what he was promised. Burkle has been a scam artist for years.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 5:53 am, Mar 30, 2010 joymarsThey used to fly around the world together on Burkle's private jet, stock with call girls (I'm being delicate here) supplied by Burkle. They're both scuzzes. Rich scuzzes.
Flag It | Permalink 6:55 pm, Mar 30, 2010 DCraigLivingstoneYou are absolutely correct! The RepugiNO's keep giving us too juicy bits like Ho's for dinner, limo's and private jet's for the Partay! Too, freakin' funny you 'family-values BS artists. BTW, WJC has over $ 200 million in the bank and growing, everyday.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 1:29 pm, Mar 30, 2010 palisades01No Liberator, we would have said that this was a private business deal that has no business being followed by any news organization.. It is not worthy of print, let alone comment.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 4:34 pm, Mar 30, 2010 toomanynotesGood. I'd like to see clinton leave this world as penniless as he came into it. We should be so fortunate to the deals he (and other scurrillous political psychopaths- that's all of them) should die broke, starving, and cold.)
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 5:58 am, Mar 30, 2010 HollyK64toomanynotes Sounds like you've had too many failures in life and want to blame the world for your woes. Look in the mirror buddy. It's all you. You're the enemy not Bill Clinton.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 11:27 am, Mar 30, 2010 JohnnyappleseedSomeone finally stiffed slick willy, was he under the desk with a cigar?
Flag It | Permalink 2:12 pm, Mar 30, 2010 JohnnorthHey, who's the psychopath? Clinton got this country into great shape by the end of his presidency and has done more good since than any bunch of billionaires - or the bitter cynics like toomanynotes.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 7:25 am, Mar 30, 2010 toomanynotesClinton didn't shit without the republican agenda which he had to do, such a welfare to work, and NAFTA (now that's had a really fantastic result, hasn't it, you nitwit). And I don't care which POTUS is in charge, when they leave office and collect all the payoffs purely corrupt bribery for all the favors they granted to a precious few here and abroad that you never learn about and the Marc Rich pardon? Ask yourself why a Scandinavian country would give him $10,000,000 for his library. He's a sociopath whether you choose to believe it or not (as they all are, with all the attributes possessed by 9-year old children who in turn possess all the traits that serial killers display. Worship and kiss his feet if that's your idea of a hero. You do know that Hero was a girl and she committed suicide, don't you?
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 10:48 am, Mar 30, 2010 HollyK64toomanynotes Maybe you've had too many drinks. You've abandoned all logic for a rant and like most rants yours makes no sense. All politicians cash in on their power and connections once they're out of office. So what. What are you suggesting that they go into a monastery, move to a small town and write the occasional op-ed piece? As for the sociopath line... you've really crossed over into that territory yourself with that accusation. We get it. You feel you've been victimized by the system and you hate the world. Step one to feeling better. Take some responsibility for your own unhappiness.
Flag It | Permalink 1:24 pm, Mar 30, 2010 jon3425The larger the government (Healthcare) the more backroom deals for personal gain. Exactly why we should look at all politicians with distrust.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 7:44 am, Mar 30, 2010 JohnnyappleseedYA THINK?
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 2:13 pm, Mar 30, 2010 Banjo1Bill's an amiable rogue. I'm glad he moved into a league where he could fleece and be fleeced by others like himself. We have to remember how humble his and Hillary's start was back in the Whitewater days. That was when Bill was having the state police pick up women to be given the opportunity to look at his penis with the freckle on it, as legal documents described it. His trousers fell to the ankles and he said, "Kiss it." Bill believed women admired his kind of directness.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 8:14 am, Mar 30, 2010 kscr14Human beings use people when they need them, and discard them when they don't. I finally get this. it really doesn't matter if you happen to be a politician or the average joe. The real question to the story is why are all the financial tycoons we read about so friggin rich?
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 8:37 am, Mar 30, 2010 HollyK64They're rich because they went out there and made it happen. They didn't sit around waiting for Obama to toss them a bone now and then.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 11:28 am, Mar 30, 2010 hahailOur lives are defined by the choices and decisions we make. Bill Clinton was a sleaze bag while in office, and he's still a sleaze bag! Clinton deserves whatever he gets!
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 8:56 am, Mar 30, 2010 HollyK64I think what Clinton's has is a pretty fabulous life and a ton of money.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 11:29 am, Mar 30, 2010 toomanynotesMonica! It's You!
Flag It | Permalink 3:54 pm, Mar 30, 2010 Jorge LagosSay what you will - if Bill Clinton walked away from millions, he took the high road, deciding he'd rather be happy than either right or richer. It's simple. The rest is just fluff and gossip...
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 8:59 am, Mar 30, 2010 flyoverlandI think it depends on the definition of what "stiff" is.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 9:13 am, Mar 30, 2010 MadCharlesI love when they eat their own..
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 9:34 am, Mar 30, 2010 copper360Clinton, for all his sins, left this country in better shape and has since done wonderful work around the world, most recently in Haiti. Why are some commentators here so self-righteous and mean-spirited ? They should remember the injunction - judge that ye not be judged.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply | (–) Show Replies Collapse Replies 1:57 pm, Mar 30, 2010 superdadIt was a Republican Congress. In addition Clinton lied and played smoke and mirrors with the debt! No one in the MSM says a word to correct the lies. Tell a lie long enough and people believe
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 5:37 pm, Mar 30, 2010 SamjonWHEN BILL CLINTON LEFT THE OFFICE THE GOVERNMENT A SURPLUS . WHEN G. BUSH LEFT WE WERE IN A BIG HOLE. OH BUT MONEY CAUSES ALOT OF PROBLEMS AND BUYS ALOT OF GOODYSSSSSSSSS.
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 2:37 pm, Mar 30, 2010 neo0071Pay to Play Gone Wrong
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 2:41 pm, Mar 30, 2010 joymarsSome meritocracy we live in!
Flag It | Permalink | Reply 6:51 pm, Mar 30, 2010 octaviotoomanynotes; hollishitk64 is a fat pig transvestite that looks like Michael Jackson.She is not Monica Lewenski. The USA is going down the toilet because politicians like Bill Clinton.For Bill Clinton having Monica polish his chrome was more important than being an ethical USA president! toomanynotes is correct when he says that, when politicians end their term, that is when they collect most of the payoffs --- bribes --- Most of the 200 million dollars in Bill Clinton's check book should be confiscated and given to the USA Treasury Department. Politicians should not enrich themselves because their political status.It is not ethical.The USA is a chicken-shit country because unethical politicians.
Flag It |Clinton deserves what he was promised. Burkle has been a scam artist for years.
They used to fly around the world together on Burkle's private jet, stock with call girls (I'm being delicate here) supplied by Burkle. They're both scuzzes. Rich scuzzes.
You are absolutely correct! The RepugiNO's keep giving us too juicy bits like Ho's for dinner, limo's and private jet's for the Partay! Too, freakin' funny you 'family-values BS artists. BTW, WJC has over $ 200 million in the bank and growing, everyday.
No Liberator, we would have said that this was a private business deal that has no business being followed by any news organization.. It is not worthy of print, let alone comment.
Good. I'd like to see clinton leave this world as penniless as he came into it. We should be so fortunate to the deals he (and other scurrillous political psychopaths- that's all of them) should die broke, starving, and cold.)
toomanynotes Sounds like you've had too many failures in life and want to blame the world for your woes. Look in the mirror buddy. It's all you. You're the enemy not Bill Clinton.
Someone finally stiffed slick willy, was he under the desk with a cigar?
Hey, who's the psychopath? Clinton got this country into great shape by the end of his presidency and has done more good since than any bunch of billionaires - or the bitter cynics like toomanynotes.
Clinton didn't shit without the republican agenda which he had to do, such a welfare to work, and NAFTA (now that's had a really fantastic result, hasn't it, you nitwit). And I don't care which POTUS is in charge, when they leave office and collect all the payoffs purely corrupt bribery for all the favors they granted to a precious few here and abroad that you never learn about and the Marc Rich pardon? Ask yourself why a Scandinavian country would give him $10,000,000 for his library. He's a sociopath whether you choose to believe it or not (as they all are, with all the attributes possessed by 9-year old children who in turn possess all the traits that serial killers display. Worship and kiss his feet if that's your idea of a hero. You do know that Hero was a girl and she committed suicide, don't you?
toomanynotes Maybe you've had too many drinks. You've abandoned all logic for a rant and like most rants yours makes no sense. All politicians cash in on their power and connections once they're out of office. So what. What are you suggesting that they go into a monastery, move to a small town and write the occasional op-ed piece? As for the sociopath line... you've really crossed over into that territory yourself with that accusation. We get it. You feel you've been victimized by the system and you hate the world. Step one to feeling better. Take some responsibility for your own unhappiness.
The larger the government (Healthcare) the more backroom deals for personal gain. Exactly why we should look at all politicians with distrust.
YA THINK?
Bill's an amiable rogue. I'm glad he moved into a league where he could fleece and be fleeced by others like himself. We have to remember how humble his and Hillary's start was back in the Whitewater days. That was when Bill was having the state police pick up women to be given the opportunity to look at his penis with the freckle on it, as legal documents described it. His trousers fell to the ankles and he said, "Kiss it." Bill believed women admired his kind of directness.
Human beings use people when they need them, and discard them when they don't. I finally get this. it really doesn't matter if you happen to be a politician or the average joe. The real question to the story is why are all the financial tycoons we read about so friggin rich?
They're rich because they went out there and made it happen. They didn't sit around waiting for Obama to toss them a bone now and then.
Our lives are defined by the choices and decisions we make. Bill Clinton was a sleaze bag while in office, and he's still a sleaze bag! Clinton deserves whatever he gets!
I think what Clinton's has is a pretty fabulous life and a ton of money.
Monica! It's You!
Say what you will - if Bill Clinton walked away from millions, he took the high road, deciding he'd rather be happy than either right or richer. It's simple. The rest is just fluff and gossip...
I think it depends on the definition of what "stiff" is.
I love when they eat their own..
Clinton, for all his sins, left this country in better shape and has since done wonderful work around the world, most recently in Haiti. Why are some commentators here so self-righteous and mean-spirited ? They should remember the injunction - judge that ye not be judged.
It was a Republican Congress. In addition Clinton lied and played smoke and mirrors with the debt! No one in the MSM says a word to correct the lies. Tell a lie long enough and people believe
WHEN BILL CLINTON LEFT THE OFFICE THE GOVERNMENT A SURPLUS . WHEN G. BUSH LEFT WE WERE IN A BIG HOLE. OH BUT MONEY CAUSES ALOT OF PROBLEMS AND BUYS ALOT OF GOODYSSSSSSSSS.
Pay to Play Gone Wrong
Some meritocracy we live in!
toomanynotes; hollishitk64 is a fat pig transvestite that looks like Michael Jackson.She is not Monica Lewenski. The USA is going down the toilet because politicians like Bill Clinton.For Bill Clinton having Monica polish his chrome was more important than being an ethical USA president! toomanynotes is correct when he says that, when politicians end their term, that is when they collect most of the payoffs --- bribes --- Most of the 200 million dollars in Bill Clinton's check book should be confiscated and given to the USA Treasury Department. Politicians should not enrich themselves because their political status.It is not ethical.The USA is a chicken-shit country because unethical politicians.
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