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Greitens donor carries connection to Trump, but also controversy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Most of the Republican candidates for governor wouldn’t mind a campaign event with presumptive nominee for president Donald Trump. But while Eric Greitens received a campaign contribution from one of Trump’s fundraising vice chairs, in typical Trumpian fashion, it’s not without controversy.

Greitens reported a $10,000 donation from Beverly Hills-based venture capitalist Elliott Broidy on July 1st. Broidy was named in May as vice chair of the Trump Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee of Trump and the Republican National Committee.

Broidy has been involved as a financier in Republican politics for a while, and it’s landed him in trouble in the past. He pleaded guilty to bribing public officials in 2009, a scandal that brought down New York’s state controller Alan Havesi.

Broidy did not serve any jail time because he cooperated with officials in the case.

This isn’t the first time a donation from outside Missouri has raised questions about Greitens’ campaign. Earlier this year, Greitens refused to return a donation from accused sexual offender Michael Goguen, despite presidential candidate John Kasich donating his donation from Goguen to charity, and Greitens raised eyebrows at the first transgender billionaire donating to his campaign.

Still, in 2016, it’s hard to deny the appeal of a connection to Trump, especially when you’re running as a political outsider.