Romney's Fishy Olympic Past Still Pays Off

We all know Mitt Romney ran a pretty good Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City 10 years ago. But few recall the bribery scandal that preceded him, or know that its major players have become significant Romney supporters, the Daily Beast reports. Businessman David Simmons, who pleaded guilty on tax charges connected to the scandal, and contractor Sead Dizdarevic, who made illegal payments to Romney's predecessors, have since given him up to $1.5 million.

The Beast focuses on Simmons, who dodged a multi-count felony indictment by pleading guilty to a misdemeanor, and got easy treatment when Romney refused to discuss the matter with reporters. Simmons' family businesses—which have deep ties to Utah's Mormon community—likely reaped a windfall from the Games that made Romney donations all the easier. Simmons admits he was "incredibly grateful" for Romney's effort to "save" the Olympics, but the Beast smells a whitewash: "If presidential campaigns are character tests, Romney’s starts in Salt Lake." (More Mitt Romney stories.)