Paul E. Singer

Paul E. Singer, a former corporate lawyer, is "the founding partner of Elliott Associates, a $7 billion hedge fund with a conservative, risk-averse bias that has been in business since 1977, making it one of the oldest funds around. A reserved, private man who would answer questions only via e-mail, Mr. Singer is a self-described conservative libertarian who has given millions of dollars to Republican organizations that emphasize a strong military and support Israel."

Singer is a member of the Board of Trustees of the neo-conservative think tank the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research; a "member of the boards of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs and of Commentary Magazine, and is on the Board of Advisors of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University", and a member of the Board of Fellows of Harvard Medical School.

Funding right-wingers and Swift Boaters
Recipients of Singer's contributions "include Progress for America ($1.5 million in contributions), a political advocacy group set up to advance the policies of the Bush administration; Swift Vets and P.O.W.’s for Truth; and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, which includes Vice President Dick Cheney and Richard N. Perle, an adviser to the former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, among its past and current advisory directors."

Backing Politicians and Organizations
In the 2004 election cycle, Singer was a "Pioneer" bundler for George W. Bush, raising at least $100,000 to earn that status.

In the 2008 election cycle, Singer is a bundler for Rudy Giuliani and has "pledged to raise at least $500,000.00" for 2008 Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani.

Singer is the Eastern Regional Finance Chairman and "a primary fund-raiser and policy adviser".

In the 2005-2006 election cycle, Singer contributed $25,000.00 towards the establishment of the Republican national lobbying front group Vets for Freedom Action Fund.

Debt Manipulation
Investigative Journalist Greg Palast uncovered debt manipulation by Singer, who he deems "Vulture Singer." Palast writes that Singer's "modus operandi" is to find some forgotten tiny debt owed by a very poor nation (Peru and Congo are given as examples). Singer then waits for the US and European taxpayers to forgive the poor nations' debts; as well as offers of food aid, medicine and investment loans. At this point Singer grabs at every resource and all the money going to the desperate country. Palast writes that trade stops, funds freeze and an entire economy is effectively held hostage. Singer then demands aid-giving nations pay monstrous ransoms to let trade resume. Singer demanded $400 million dollars from the Congo for a debt he picked up for less than $10 million. Palast writes that if Singer doesn't get his 4,000% profit, he can effectively starve the nation. In Congo-Brazzaville last year, one-fourth of all deaths of children under five were caused by malnutrition.

Connections to Koch
Singer was acknowledged at the privately held Koch seminar in June 2011 in Vail, Colorado for donating at least $1 million to Koch-related causes.

Profiles
Singer is a member of the Publication Committee for City Journal.

Singer graduated from the University of Rochester (N.Y.) and Harvard Law School.

External articles

 * John Gorham, "Repeat performance," Forbes, May 14, 2001.
 * Steve Rothwell, John Glover and Alan Katz, "Eurotunnel Bankruptcy Ensnares `Jerks in Manhattan' Hedge Funds," Bloomberg News, September 18, 2006.
 * "Hedge Fund Moguls Back Giuliani’s Presidential Fund," Deal Book Blog/New York Times, February 1, 2007.
 * CoolAqua, "Giuliani Campaign's Dirty Secret," The Daily Kos, February 17, 2007.
 * Stephen Spruiell, "Hedging Your Votes. Taxing questions," National Review Online, July 13, 2007.
 * Sarah Wheaton, "2008: G.O.P. Candidates Spending Liberally," The Caucus Blog/New York Times, July 14, 2007.
 * Michael Cooper and Leslie Wayne, "US: Savings and Issues in Candidates’ Use of Private Jets," New York Times (CorpWatch.org), July 26, 2007.

External resources

 * Profile: Peter E. Singer, Media Transparency.
 * Fact Sheet: Elliott Management Corporation, Hoovers.com.