While certain Beltway Bandits freak out at the mere mention of “LLC,” here’s where the real action is: Jeb Bush’s long history of complex financial dealings, shell companies, and ghost corporations. Since leaving office, Jeb’s financial dealings have been positively Romneyesque, with companies like Granada Investment Holdings, Altara Investments, and Columbus Equity Holdings all registered to Bush and with purposes that have not yet been publicly determined or accounted for.
For more background, check out below:
Jeb Bush Has A Web Of Pass-Through LLCs With Undisclosed Clients And Purposes
Jeb Bush’s Team Refuses To Disclose Clients Of Bush’s Web Of LLCs
Bush’s Spokeswoman, Kristy Campbell, Refused To Specifically Discuss Or Identify Jeb Bush & Associates’ Clients. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, “‘These are all growth investments that the governor has worked on,’ said Bush’s spokeswoman, Kristy Campbell. […] After leaving the governor’s office in 2007, he set up Jeb Bush and Associates, a management consulting firm. His son, Jeb Bush Jr., is managing partner. Bush has said the firm’s clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small tech startups, but Campbell declined to discuss the company’s business, or identify its clients.” [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 12/24/14]
Jeb Bush & Associates
In February 2007, Bush Registered Jeb Bush & Associates In Delaware And Florida
Jeb Bush And Associates, LLC Was Registered In Delaware In February 2007. On February 22, 2007, Jeb Bush and Associates, LLC was registered with the Delaware Division of Corporations. [Delaware Division of Corporation, Jeb Bush & Associates, LLC, File Number 4305558, https://delecorp.delaware.gov/tin/controller]
Five Days Later, Jeb Bush And Associates, LLC Was Registered In Florida With Bush As The Managing Member. On February 27, 2007, Jeb Bush and Associates was registered with the State of Florida. Bush was listed as the company’s sole Managing Member. [Florida Secretary of State, Jeb Bush and Associates, LLC, “Application By Foreign Limited Liability Company For Authorization To Transact Business In Florida,” Filed 2/27/07]
Bush’s Son, Jeb Bush, Jr. Was The Chief Operating Officer And Co-Owner Of Jeb Bush & Associates, LLC
Since March 2007, Jeb Bush, Jr. Was A Registered Owner And Executive Of Jeb Bush & Associates, LLC. According to an Experian Business Report for Jeb Bush & Associates, LLC, dated March 11, 2015, Jeb Bush, Jr. was listed as an owner and executive of Jeb Bush & Associates, LLC, since March 2007. [Experian Business Report, Jeb Bush & Associates, LLC, 3/11/15]
Clients Include Lehman Brothers And Miami International Holdings
June 2007: Lehman Brothers Hired Jeb Bush & Associates As Consultants. According to the Palm Beach Post, “Until January 2007, Jeb Bush, as governor, is one of three trustees of the State Board of Administration. The SBA administers $180 billion in Florida assets, including the Local Government Investment Pool. * In February, out of office, Mr. Bush forms Jeb Bush & Associates. * In June, the Lehman Brothers investment firm hires Jeb Bush & Associates as consultants.” [Palm Beach Post, 12/23/07]
A Month After Jeb Bush & Associates Were Hired As Consultants, Lehman Brothers Began To Sell Florida $1 Billion In Debt Instruments. According to the St. Petersburg Times, “At least two months before Lehman began selling the state $1-billion in debt instruments that would be quickly downgraded, the investment firm almost certainly knew the level of risk it was passing along […] As governor, Bush helped Stipanovich get his job. He formed a new business, Jeb Bush & Associates, after he left office and was hired by Lehman as a consultant in June. A month after that, Lehman began selling Florida the shaky securities.” [St. Petersburg Times, 12/23/07]
As A Member Of Jeb Bush & Associates, Jeb Bush, Jr Represented Miami International Holdings In Negotiations For Office Space At 1450 Brickell Office Tower
Jeb Bush, Jr. Of Jeb Bush & Associates Represented Miami International Holdings In Negotiations For Office Space At 1450 Brickell Office Tower. According to the South Florida Business Journal, “About half of the tenant roster at 1450 Brickell Office Tower is new to the downtown Miami market, a signifi-cant reality for a building that in only two years has surpassed 90 percent occupancy […] Blanca Commercial finalized leases with accounting firm Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, independent inter-national shopping community Lyoness America and holding company Miami International Holdings. […] Barbara Liberatore Black and Matthew Goodman of CresaPartners represented Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra and Bilzin Sumberg, while Ilan Neuwirth of Rent One Sale One Realty represented Lyoness America, and Jeb Bush Jr. of Jeb Bush and Associates represented Miami International Holdings.” [South Florida Business Journal, 5/25/12]
Granada Investment Holdings, LLC
Bush Was A Manager At Granada Investment Holdings, LLC
In 2012, Granada Investment Holdings, LLC Was Registered In Florida With Bush As The Manager. On January 12, 2012, Granada Investment Holdings, LLC was registered with the State of Florida. Bush was listed as the company’s Manager. [Florida Secretary of State, Granada Investment Holdings, LLC, “Application By Foreign Limited Liability Company For Authorization To Transact Business In Florida,” Filed 1/12/12]
As Of 2014, Bush Remained Granada Investment Holdings, LLC’s Manager. On January 10, 2014, Granada Investment Holdings, LLC filed its annual report with the Florida Secretary of State. Bush was listed as the company’s Manager. [Florida Secretary of State, Granada Investment Holdings, LLC, “2014 Foreign Limited Liability Company Annual Report,” Filed 1/10/14]
2012: A Paralegal Writing On Behalf Of Granada Investments LLC Requested That The Name Be Changed To Granada Investment Holdings LLC. In a letter to the Florida Department of State, Senior Paralegal Monica Moreno wrote, “Due to the unavailability of the name ‘Granada Investments LLC’ in Florida per your letter of December 8, 2011 (copy enclosed), the company has elected to change its name in its home state of Delaware to Granada Investment Holdings, LLC. Accordingly, enclosed please find the corrected Application By Foreign Limited Liability Company for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida for Granada Investment Holdings, LLC.” [Letter to Florida Department of State,1/10/12]
Altara Investments LLC
Bush Was A Managing Member For Altara Investments, LLC
2011: Altara Investments Was Registered In Florida With Bush As The Managing Member. On November 14, 2011, Altara Investments, LLC was registered with the Florida Secretary of State. Bush was listed as the company’s Managing Member. [Florida Secretary of State, Altara Investments, LLC, “Electronic Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company,” Filed 11/14/11]
2014: Bush Was Listed As The Company’s Managing Member. On January 10, 2014, Altara Investments, LLC filed its annual report with the Florida Secretary of State. Bush was listed as the company’s Managing Member. [Florida Secretary of State, Altara Investments, LLC, “2014 Florida Limited Liability Company Annual Report,” Filed 1/10/14]
Columbus Equity Holdings LLC
Bush Was A Manager At Columbus Equity Holdings, LLC
2013: Columbus Equity Holdings Was Registered In Florida With Bush As The Manager. On May 10, 2013, Columbus Equity Holdings, LLC was registered with the Florida Secretary of State. Bush was listed as the company’s Manager. [Florida Secretary of State, Columbus Equity Holdings, LLC, “Electronic Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company,” Filed 5/10/13]
2014: Bush Was Listed As The Company’s Manager. On March 4, 2014, Columbus Equity Holdings, LLC filed its annual report with the Florida Secretary of State. Bush was listed as the company’s Manager. [Florida Secretary of State, Columbus Equity Holdings, LLC, “2014 Florida Limited Liability Company Annual Report,” Filed 3/4/14]
Published: May 27, 2015