Posted on 10/31/2002 2:47:57 PM PST by daviddennis
Billionaire Jerry Perenchio lets his money do his talking in Los Angeles politics -- contributing more than $1 million to defeat San Fernando Valley secession and win passage of Los Angeles Unified's school bond issue.
That makes Perenchio, the 71-year-old CEO and chairman of the board of Univision, the Spanish-language television network, the biggest financial force in city politics today.
Yet he doesn't disclose -- even to his closest friends, let alone the public -- his motives for contributing so heavily.
His New York publicist, who doesn't even have a resume or photo of him, said Perenchio never talks to the media.
"There's never been another Jerry Perenchio," said television and film producer Norman Lear, who was a business partner with Perenchio for 25 years, working with him on some of the country's hottest TV shows, including "The Jeffersons."
"He's special and unique, the way he gives and does things," Lear said. "He's one of a kind."
(Excerpt) Read more at dailynews.com ...
He owns half of Malibu, so you know he has to be on Gray Davis' good side thanks to the Coastal Commission's power. But he hedges his bets: He contributed to Bill Simon, too. That kind of generosity sounds more like the attempted purchase of political influence than any real desire to improve the world.
But I wonder what's up with his support of One LA? And why did he support school vouchers to the tune of $1 million? You'd think he would be all for herding people into public schools.
Interesting guy, Jerry. Love him or hate him, there's no doubt he has big-time influence.
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