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Las Vegas Sands CEO and Chairman Sheldon Adelson makes a few remarks after receiving the Hospitality Industry Leader of the Year award at the eighth-annual Vallen Dinner of Distinction, April 26, 2012.
By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 | 4:55 p.m.
Dean Heller
U.S. Sen. Dean Heller said today that he is unaware of the various federal investigations into the business practices of top GOP donor Sheldon Adelson’s company, but said the investigations are receiving attention because of his political involvement this year.
“I’m unaware of those,” Heller said of the investigations by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission recently reported on by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
“I don’t follow it that closely. I would anticipate the only reasons those issues are coming up is because he is participating so much in the political process. That seems to be, in this day and age, the pushback for those involved in the political process.”
Pressed on whether he believed the DOJ and SEC investigations — which were launched in 2010 — are politically motivated, Heller said: “I think people get very nervous when you have people like Adelson involved.
“I’m just raising the question,” he added. “I’m not saying it’s true. I’m just raising the question.”
Adelson has become one of the Republican Party’s most important donors. He and his family have given more than $30 million to Republican Super PACs and other political organizations that have been active in both the presidential race and Heller’s campaign against Democrat Shelley Berkley.
Earlier this week, the New York Times reported on the continuing federal investigations into the dealings of Adelson’s company, the Las Vegas Sands, in China. The company operates a casino resort in Macau.
The investigation into whether $70 million from the Las Vegas Sands was used to bribe Chinese officials began in 2010 after a former Sands employee filed a wrongful termination lawsuit, according to the New York Times.
Heller went on to say that he's not a fan of outside spending in his closely watched Senate campaign. Earlier this year, he declined an offer by Berkley's campaign to reject Super PAC and other outside groups advertising in Nevada. He said campaign contributions should be limited to those from inside Nevada.
"What I would’ve liked to see in this campaign is we restrict ourselves specifically to campaign donations from within Nevada," he said. "Obviously that would include the Adelson family. But I'm the first to say we (should) limit this race only to donors from within the boundaries of this state."
People are jealous of Sheldon
Heller has the same eyes as the kid who played the banjo in Deliverance. Could he be related?
dean heller: "by my own admission i have no idea what's going on but here's my completely uninformed opinion that i offer as an immutable truth."
The New York Time presented a very damning case; I can only imagine what the SEC and DoJ have. Seems to me Mr. Adelson knows the case is gaining strength with former executives turning witness. He is desperate to buy any Republican willing to make the case go away.
Why now.
Mr. Adelson is on Obama's enemies list
Obama is intimidating and bullying his political opposition
South side Chicago politics
This administration is about as vengeful as any in history. Of course these allegations and investigations are about Adelson's support for Conservative candidates. He makes no bones about wanting Osama Obama out and puts his money where his mouth is. Eric Holder's record is one of reverse racism. He never sees a black or tan person as a criminal and won't prosecute them, but, boy, if you're pink in color, watch out! The black Panther intimidation case is but just one of the many he looked the other way in refusing to indict. The harassment of Sheriff Joe is another. Harassing him for upholding the law. If it weren't such a serious and flagrant abuse of power by Holder, it'd be a laughing matter! Holder is but one more reason to get rid of Osama Obama and, afterwards, Holder should be brought up on charges even if they are trumped up just the way he operates. Cost him headaches and financial ruin, I say. Take Joe Biden's advice and put that slime-bag Eric Holder in chains!
Heller raises a ruckus about the investigation of Adelson being political, but pounds out to the Nevada public that his opponent is being investigated and, oh, that's not political in nature at all....even though it was rammed through by Tea/Republicans to try to disgrace and/or throw out Berkley from the House of Representatives.
Do as I say, not as I do, Heller. Everyone can see the typical Tea/Republican dirty tricks going on, but all of a sudden he circles the wagons around Mr. Deep Pockets Tea/Republican Cause Giver of Money. Heller dons his designer knee pads and services the guy who gives to his campaign.
People in this State see what's going on, Senator Heller.
You're toast in this next election. People are motivated right now to get rid of an appointee. Yes, an appointee. Not elected. A guy who was appointed to replace a disgraceful Senator that people still have a sour taste in their mouth because he wasn't criminally prosecuted, even after he quit (Ensign).
The simple fact of the matter is that Heller is a temporary assignment. The voters out here are sick and tired of Tea/Republican politics that get us nowhere with constant obstruction.
This is just further proof that Heller only looks for a gotcha moment to win. Because he has an absolutely horrible voting record to fall back on. The only ones his voting serves are the rich...the ones he constantly seeks to scratch their backs.
The Tea/Republicans lost all rights to this Senate Seat. Ensign blew it for you. Sick and tired of your dumb political party treating the Senate as a playground, while the people suffer for your excesses.
Berkley 2012!
Mr. Heller: You need to read the NY Times article. Mr. Adelson curried favor with the convicted money launder Tom Delay. I'd hate to see you have to return Mr. Adelson's corrupt donations in disgrace.
Colin makes an excellent observation of the political witchhunt on Shelley Berkley. Mr. Heller agreed with Berkley to keep the Kidney center open, now uses it against her. I guess Mr. Heller wants Nevadans driving out of state for treatment.
Heller is an idiot. Why would anyone think the honorable Adelson would do anything that is worthy of a politically motivated investigation. Heller on the other hand... .
He's the first to say that campaign donors should be from within the state, yet he's pounding his opponent with ads from Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS. Hypocrite.
Heller states DOJ and SEC investigations into Adelson are politically motivated but ethics investigations into Shelly Berkley by the Republican led House of Representatives are non-political and legitimate fodder for his campaign ads. What a joke! Does this clown think we are stupid or is he just kissing Sheldon's backside for more contributions.
Adelson is not a politician Heller so you cannot prove anything.
Yes, I have a problem with huge amounts of Chinese money - clean or unclean - going into political pockets. And those pockets include Harry Reid and the democrats as well as the highly visual ones with a R behind their name(s).
If Heller is as smart as I think he is, he'll get a divorce from the guy with the phone red hair and real Communist Red money.
Good boy Dean, you must defend master...
Heller has it backwards. Adelson is donating big time to the GOP because he is being investigated, not the other way around.