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{{Short description|American businessman}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}} | ||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| image = Melaleuca CEO Frank Vandersloot.JPG | | image = Melaleuca CEO Frank Vandersloot.JPG | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1948|08|14}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1948|08|14}} | ||
| birth_place = ] | |||
| caption = |
| caption = | ||
| nationality = American | |||
| boards = ] | |||
| alma_mater = ] and ] | | alma_mater = ] and ] | ||
| |
| known_for = former CEO of Melaleuca, Inc. | ||
| |
| birth_name = Frank Leonard VanderSloot | ||
| education = ] | |||
| birth_name = Frank Vandersloot | |||
| imagesize = |
| imagesize = | ||
| occupation = Entrepreneur and CEO | | occupation = Entrepreneur, investor, and CEO | ||
| spouse = Belinda VanderSloot (married 1995–present)<br /> Vivian VanderSloot (divorced) <br /> Kathleen VanderSloot (divorced) | |||
| parents = Peter Francis (Frank) VanderSloot<br />Margaret May Christensen Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot | |||
}} | }} | ||
⚫ | '''Frank Leonard VanderSloot'''<ref name="LandReport"/> (born August 14, 1948) is an American ], radio network owner, rancher, and political campaign financier. He is the founder and former chief executive officer of ]<ref name="Berman">{{Cite news|last=Berman|first=Phyllis|title=Forbes 400 – If You Believe|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/1011/089.html|access-date=September 12, 2012|newspaper=]|date=October 11, 2004}}</ref><ref name="inc">{{Cite web|last=Fried|first=John|title=Inc.com Hall of Fame Profile: Frank L. Vandersloot|date=October 15, 2004|url=http://www.inc.com/magazine/20041015/hidi-vandersloot.html}} October 15, 2004</ref> His other business interests include the Riverbend Ranch<ref name="Ranch1" /><ref name="Ranch3">{{Cite web|title=Fort Ranch|url=http://www.fortranch.com/|publisher=Fort Ranch}}</ref> and Riverbend Communications.<ref name="Radio1" /> VanderSloot also serves on the board of directors and executive board of the ].<ref name="Chamber1" /><ref name="Popkey" /> {{As of|2011|alt=In 2011,}} ''The Land Report'' listed him as the nation's 92nd largest landowner.<ref name="LandReport">{{Cite news|title=2011 Land Report 100: No. 81-89|url=http://www.landreport.com/2012/05/81-89/|access-date=November 19, 2021|newspaper=]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812131932/http://www.landreport.com/2012/05/81-89/|archivedate=August 12, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2017, Forbes listed VanderSloot as the richest person in Idaho and the 302nd wealthiest American with a net worth of $2.7 billion.<ref name="Wealth" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Frank VanderSloot profile|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/frank-vandersloot/?list=forbes-400|work=Forbes|access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref> | ||
VanderSloot served as a national finance co-chair for ]'s presidential campaigns in ] and ].<ref name="Murphy" /><ref name="NYT1">{{Cite news|last=Confessore|first=Nicholas|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/01/us/politics/campaign-finance-reports-show-super-pac-donors.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|title=G.O.P. Donors Showing Thirst to Oust Obama in November|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 17, 2012|date=January 31, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Strauss|first1=Daniel|title=Marco Rubio scores megadonor Frank VanderSloot|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/frank-vandersloot-marco-rubio-216027|website=politico.com|publisher=Politico|access-date=December 11, 2015|date=November 18, 2015}}</ref> He contributed $1.1 million and helped to raise between $2 million and $5 million for Romney's 2012 campaign.<ref name="motherjones" /><ref name="Vogel1" /> He is a significant financial contributor to ] presidential candidates and Idaho political campaigns.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kruesi|first1=Kimberlee|title=Republican presidential candidates court Idaho's mega-donor|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/9/republican-presidential-candidates-court-idahos-me/?page=1|website=washingtontimes.com|publisher=The Washington Times|access-date=September 9, 2015}}</ref> He has also paid for ] in opposition to several Idaho ] political candidates. | |||
⚫ | '''Frank |
||
VanderSloot is the primary financier of the American Heritage Charter School in Idaho Falls.<ref name="VanDerSlootFarms" /><ref name="VanderSloot-Funded" /><ref name="IdahoFallsCharter"></ref> | |||
VanderSloot served as one of sixty national finance co-chairs for ] ] presidential campaign, a role he reprised in ].<ref name="CoSixty">{{cite news|title=Governor Mitt Romney Announces National Finance Chairs And Co-Chairs|accessdate=November 24, 2012|newspaper=US Fed News|date=August 6, 2007}}</ref><ref name=NYT1>{{Cite news|last=Confessore|first=Nicholas|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/01/us/politics/campaign-finance-reports-show-super-pac-donors.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|title=G.O.P. Donors Showing Thirst to Oust Obama in November|work=The New York Times|accessdate=May 17, 2012|date=January 31, 2012}}</ref> He contributed $1.1 million and helped to raise between $2 million and $5 million for Romney’s 2012 campaign.<ref name=motherjones/><ref name=Vogel1/> His public stances on ] issues have generated opposition from ], ], and gay-rights groups. | |||
VanderSloot sponsors the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, the largest annual ] fireworks display west of the Mississippi.<ref name=Fireworks>{{Cite web|title=Freedom Celebration|url=http://www.freedomcelebration.com/|publisher=Melaleuca}}</ref> He was the primary financier of the American Heritage Charter School in Idaho Falls.<ref name=Charter1/><ref name=Charter2/><ref name=Charter3/> | |||
==Early life and education== | ==Early life and education== | ||
VanderSloot was born on August 14, 1948<ref>{{cite book|last=Dun & Bradstreet|title=Reference Book of Corporate Managements|year=1998|publisher=Dun & Bradstreet|location=Parsippany, NJ}} Accessed through ]</ref> to Peter Francis (Frank) VanderSloot (1913–1982) and Margaret May Christensen Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot ( |
VanderSloot was born on August 14, 1948,<ref>{{cite book|last=Dun & Bradstreet|title=Reference Book of Corporate Managements|year=1998|publisher=Dun & Bradstreet|location=Parsippany, NJ}} Accessed through ]</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia | title =Frank Vandersloot | encyclopedia =Biography and Genealogy Master Index | publisher =Gale, Cengage Learning | date =1980–2013 }}</ref> to Peter Francis (Frank) VanderSloot (1913–1982) and Margaret May Christensen Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot (1915–2004).<ref>{{Cite journal| year =2004 | title =Social Security Death Index about Margaret W. Vandersloot | publisher =Social Security Administration | location =Illinois}}</ref> The family lived in ], and ], before moving in 1949 to ], where they lived on a ranch. The elder VanderSloot worked as a painter for the ].<ref name="MargaretObit">{{cite news|title=Obituaries: Margaret Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=20040806&id=bGhWAAAAIBAJ&pg=7047,5659888|access-date=October 14, 2012|newspaper=]|date=August 6, 2004}}</ref><ref name="Carlson2">{{Cite news |last=Carlson |first=Brad |date=June 5, 2006 |title=Melaleuca leader enjoys rural roots |newspaper=Idaho Business Review |url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2006/06/05/melaleuca-leader-enjoys-rural-roots/ |access-date=October 1, 2012}} Payment required. Reposted by ''Melaleuca News.''{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref name="FrankDiscussion">{{Cite web|url=https://www.idahofallsmagazine.com/2014/01/discussion-with-frank-vandersloot-ceo|title=Discussion with Frank VanderSloot, CEO Melaleuca, Inc. | idahofallsmagazine.com|website=www.idahofallsmagazine.com}}</ref>{{rp|57}} Frank VanderSloot graduated from ] in 1966.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | ||
| title =U.S. School Yearbooks, Sandpoint High School | |||
| encyclopedia =Ancestry.com | |||
VanderSloot paid for his college education by selling cream from a cow his father had given him, working at a ], selling ] in bars, and teaching Dutch to future missionaries.<ref name=Popkey/><ref name=RMBarry>{{Cite book|last=Barry|first=Richard M|title=The Melaleuca Story|publisher=RM Barry Publications|location=Littleton, Colorado|pages=5|url=http://www.rmbarry.com/books/pdf/melaleuca_story5.pdf}}</ref> He earned an ] in business at ] in ], and in 1972, he graduated from ] with a bachelor's degree in business administration.<ref name=SandpointPlasterInterview/> | |||
| publisher =Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. | |||
| year =2010 | |||
}}</ref> At the age of 16, he joined ] (LDS Church), and later studied at ] in ], where he worked and lived as a cleaner at a ].<ref name="ForbesLaundromat">{{Cite news|last=Peterson-Withorn|first=Chase|title=This Billionaire Pulled Himself Out Of Poverty By Living In A Laundromat And Teaching Dutch|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2017/10/21/this-billionaire-pulled-himself-out-of-poverty-by-living-in-a-laundromat-and-teaching-dutch/#f580a61681c7|access-date=October 23, 2017|newspaper=Forbes|date=October 21, 2017}}</ref> After two semesters, he left school to serve a two-and-a-half-year ] in the Netherlands.<ref name="ForbesLaundromat" /><ref name="Popkey">{{Cite news|last=Popkey|first=Dan|title=Starting with oil from Australian tea trees, Melaleuca's Frank VanderSloot built a far-reaching wellness product empire in Idaho Falls|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/10/12/1835874/ruthlessly-protecting-the-franchise.html|access-date=September 12, 2012|newspaper=]|date=October 12, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Boise chamber to host Melaleuca CEO|newspaper=Idaho Business Review|date=March 30, 2009}}</ref> Following his mission, he earned an ] in business at ] in ]. He then returned to Brigham Young University, where he earned a ] in marketing in 1972.<ref name="FrankDiscussion" /><ref name="SandpointPlasterInterview" /><ref name="ForbesLaundromat" /> | |||
==Career== | ==Career== | ||
=== |
===ADP and Cox=== | ||
After graduating from college, VanderSloot worked for 9 |
After graduating from college, VanderSloot worked for 9{{frac|1|2}} years at ] in three cities. He first worked in sales and marketing before moving to general management and operations.<ref name="Carlson2" /><ref name="Carlson">Carlson, Brad. Idaho Business Review. Boise. June 5, 2006. Copyright 2006, Gale Group Inc. Accessed through NewsLibrary.com. Payment required.</ref> He left ADP to work as regional vice president at ] in ].<ref name="FrankDiscussion" />{{rp|58}}<ref name="Bonanza">{{Cite news|last=Menser|first=Paul|title=TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF – BOOMING MELALEUCA GROWS OUT OF A SHADY PAST INTO A JOBS BONANZA|newspaper=Idaho Falls Post Register|date=March 24, 1996|page=A1}}</ref> | ||
===Oil of Melaleuca, Inc |
===Oil of Melaleuca, Inc=== | ||
In September 1985, VanderSloot's brother-in-law Roger Ball and Roger's brother Allen Ball offered VanderSloot the helm of Oil of Melaleuca, Inc., a startup multi-level marketing business based in Idaho Falls.<ref name=Popkey/><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rose|first=Peter|title=Melaleuca expands into Canada|journal=The Idaho Business Review|date=April 9, 1994|volume=13|issue=27|pages=10 |
In September 1985, VanderSloot's brother-in-law Roger Ball and Roger's brother Allen Ball offered VanderSloot the helm of Oil of Melaleuca, Inc., a startup ] business based in Idaho Falls.<ref name="Popkey" /><ref name="FrankDiscussion" />{{rp|58}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rose|first=Peter|title=Melaleuca expands into Canada|journal=The Idaho Business Review|date=April 9, 1994|volume=13|issue=27|pages=10}}</ref> VanderSloot said "the company was a mess" when he arrived. According to Dan Popkey, "A supposed 80 percent corner on the tea tree market turned out to be 5 percent. The ] came knocking, because salespeople were exaggerating medical claims. A multilevel model that lured people to buy $5,000 in inventory offended VanderSloot's sense of fairness."<ref name="Popkey" /> Oil of Melaleuca failed to achieve significant market share, and the partners shut down the company later in 1985.<ref name="Popkey" /><ref name="FrankDiscussion" />{{rp|58, 60}} Half the legacy distributors from Oil of Melaleuca left after Melaleuca, Inc., was formed (below).<ref name="Berman" /> | ||
===Melaleuca, Inc |
===Melaleuca, Inc=== | ||
In 1985, VanderSloot founded the ] company Melaleuca Inc,<ref name="MJ2" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27344891.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191812/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-27344891.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-09-24 |title=Libertarians are not all on same page |publisher=The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/2/1/20392147/nu-skin-money-heads-up-romney-super-pac-disclosure |last=Schulzke |first=Eric |title = Nu Skin money heads up Romney super PAC disclosure|website = ]|date = February 2012|access-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.alternet.org/story/155644/5_reasons_the_%27geezer_empire%27_of_billionaire_republicans_are_showering_romney_with_cash |title=5 Reasons the 'Geezer Empire' of Billionaire Republicans Are Showering Romney with Cash | Alternet |access-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822014722/https://www.alternet.org/story/155644/5_reasons_the_%27geezer_empire%27_of_billionaire_republicans_are_showering_romney_with_cash |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/117307/brendan-eichs-resignation-mozilla-gives-new-cover-dark-money|title=The Hounding of Brendan Eich Gives New Cover to Defenders of Dark Money|magazine=The New Republic|date=April 8, 2014|last1=MacGillis|first1=Alec}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/get-to-know-mitt-romneys-most-controversial-backe#.omqObNWb6Z|title=Get to Know Mitt Romney's Most Controversial Backer, Frank VanderSloot|website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsreview.com/chico/know-him-by-his-friends/content?oid=5891206|title=CN&R • Opinions • from This Corner • Know him by his friends • May 3, 2012|date=May 2, 2012}}</ref> which sells ], cleaning supplies, and personal-care products,<ref name="Berman" /><ref name="motherjones" /><ref name="MJ2">{{Cite news|last=Mencimer|first=Stephanie|title=Get-Rich-Quick Profiteers Love Mitt Romney, and He Loves Them Back|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/04/mitt-romney-nu-skin-multilevel-marketing-schemes|access-date=September 8, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May–June 2012}}</ref><ref name="RS1">{{Cite news|last=Dickinson|first=Tim|title=Right-Wing Billionaires Behind Mitt Romney|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/right-wing-billionaires-behind-mitt-romney-20120524|access-date=September 8, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lofton|first=Dewanna|title=Retailers Offer Natural Products to Cater to Health-Conscious Generation|newspaper=The Commercial Appeal|date=January 9, 1999|quote=Melaleuca makes and sells a collection of environmentally sensitive products that include food items, drugs, bath and body products, skin care, pet care and cleaning products.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Marcum|first=Ed|title=Idaho-based company Melaleuca to bring more jobs to Knox|newspaper=The Knoxville News-Sentinel|date=August 27, 2009|quote=Based in Idaho Falls, the company makes a range of about 350 household, nutritional, pharmaceutical and personal care products meant to be safer, more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly than products typically found in grocery stores. It sells these through direct marketing channels to its "marketing executives." The entrepreneurs sign up customers and receive bonuses on products those customers buy.}}</ref> and he has been president and ] ever since. Melaleuca operates internationally, with U.S. operations centered in Idaho Falls, Idaho,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smede|first1=Steve|title=Demystifying Melaleuca|url=http://www.idahofallsmagazine.com/2014/12/demystifying-melaleuca|work=Idaho Falls Magazine|date=December 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Melaleuca building $50 million headquarters in Idaho Falls|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> and Knoxville, Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Get To Know Melaleuca|url=http://www.melaleuca.info|publisher=Melaleuca}}</ref> Customers buy directly from Melaleuca's website<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cravens|first1=Dan|title=Melaleuca: Healthy products, healthy growth|url=http://biz.idahostatejournal.com/?p=14542|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=Southeast Idaho Business Journal|date=September 6, 2015}}</ref><ref name="InStore">{{cite news|last=Morrow|first=Sabine|title=What's in Store|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal -The Atlanta Constitution|date=January 27, 2000|pages=BE, 3}}</ref> or retail locations<ref name="Greenberg">{{cite news|last=Greenberg|first=Herb|title=Why Spotting a Pyramid Scheme Isn't So Easy|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2013/01/09/why-spotting-a-pyramid-scheme-isnt-so-easy.html|access-date=January 16, 2013|newspaper=]|date=January 9, 2013|author2=Karina Frayter}}</ref> and "independent marketing executives" receive commissions from Melaleuca for each purchase made by people they refer and by people their customers refer,<ref name="FrankDiscussion" />{{rp|60}} through seven "referral generations".<ref name="Caribbean">{{cite journal|title=Melaleuca: Enhancing People's Lives One Customer at a Time (cover story)|journal=Caribbean Business|date=January 19, 2006|volume=34|issue=2}}</ref> The company refers to this arrangement as "Consumer Direct Marketing", a term it has trademarked.<ref>{{cite news|last=Scoblete|first=Greg|title=8x8 Retools Videophone Distribution Strategy|newspaper=Reed Business Information|date=August 22, 2005|page=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | last = Trademark # 76532256, United States Patent Office |date = June 2, 2003| format =Trademark | journal = Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) | title = CONSUMER DIRECT MARKETING | location =Washington DC | url =http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4008:c15ie7.3.1 | access-date =October 18, 2012}}</ref><ref name="GrowingPains">{{cite news|title=GROWING PAINS|newspaper=The Knoxville News Sentinel|date=January 15, 2008|pages=15}}</ref><ref name="Puget" /> | |||
In 1985, five months after the closure of Oil of Melaleuca, VanderSloot started a new company, Melaleuca, Inc., serving as president and CEO.<ref name=Popkey/> The new company eliminated the former organization’s requirement that contractors purchase and warehouse products without the guarantee of being able to sell them. Contractors would still receive commissions from each purchase their referred customers made from Melaleuca, but products would be purchased and shipped directly from the company to the consumer.<ref name= Bonanza/> The company refers to this arrangement as “Consumer Direct Marketing”, a term it has trademarked.<ref>{{cite news|last=Owen|first=Clay|title=Growing Pains|accessdate=October 18, 2012|newspaper=The Knoxville News Sentinel|date=January 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Scoblete|first=Greg|title=8x8 Retools Videophone Distribution Strategy|accessdate=October 19, 2012|newspaper=Reed Business Information|date=August 22, 2005|page=6}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | last = Trademark # 76532256, United States Patent Office |publication-date = June 2, 2003| format =Trademark | journal = Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) | title = CONSUMER DIRECT MARKETING | publication-place =Washington DC | url =http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4008:c15ie7.3.1 | accessdate =October 18, 2012}}</ref> The change in business practices caused half of the legacy distributors from the previous company to leave and VanderSloot was left with a skeleton staff.<ref name=Berman/> Melaleuca grew quickly<ref>{{cite news|last=Englert|first=Stuart|title=POLITICIANS LAUD MELALEUCA'S EXPANSION|accessdate=10 December 2012|newspaper=Idaho Falls Post Register|date=8 July 1993|page=B1}}</ref> and set new records for revenue in each of its first 20 years of operation.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Melaleuca: Enhancing People's Lives One Customer at a Time (cover story)|journal=Caribbean Business|date=19 January 2006|volume=34|issue=2|accessdate=4 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=IBR Staff|title=Idaho Falls-based Melaleuca continues 20-year growth streak, sales top $702M|accessdate=November 19, 2012|newspaper=Idaho Business Review|date=April 10, 2006}}</ref> ] included Melaleuca on its ] of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States every year from 1990 to 1994 before inducting the company into its Hall of Fame in 1994.<ref name=Inc2>{{cite web|title=Inc. 500 Hall of Fame: Melaleuca|url=http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060901/inc500-hall-of-fame.html|publisher=]|accessdate=October 15, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Inc1>{{cite web|title=Inc 5000 List 1994: Melaleuca|url=http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/melaleuca|publisher=]|accessdate=October 15, 2012}}</ref> Melaleuca reported gross sales in excess of one billion dollars in 2011.<ref>McDougall, Logan. KPVI Local News. Dec 20, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2012</ref>{{as of|2004|alt=In}} Melaleuca operates internationally, with U.S. operations centered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Knoxville, Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Get To Know Melaleuca|url=http://www.melaleuca.info|publisher=Melaleuca}}</ref> In 2004, 25% of company revenue came from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.<ref name=Berman/> {{As of|2006}}, 95% of households that bought Melaleuca products in any given month repurchased products the next month.<ref name=Carlson /> The company reported in 2005 that one in 60 Taiwanese households purchased its products monthly.<ref>{{cite news|title=Melaleuca Inc., the producer of cosmetics, household|accessdate=November 22, 2012|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|date=January 12, 2005}}</ref> | |||
According to a 2004 article by Phyllis Berman, Melaleuca's sales flattened in 1998, and VanderSloot "discovered that some senior directors were living off their residuals and doing little in the way of recruitment."<ref name="Berman" /> This resulted in "a new policy that reduced payments to those who didn't either bring in new converts or help others do so."<ref name="Berman" /> The company has large international operations, and 25 percent of its revenue comes from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.<ref name="Berman" /> Melaleuca reported gross sales in excess of one billion dollars in 2011<ref>McDougall, Logan. {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130216081406/http://www.kpvi.com/content/news/local/story/Melaleuca-Surpasses-1-Billion-in-Sales-For-Year/JKkvtcCS8EW0BM4HqyCL2A.cspx |date=February 16, 2013 }} KPVI Local News. December 20, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2012</ref> and $1.13 billion in 2012.<ref name="EastIdaho"> East Idaho News. February 11, 2013. Accessed February 14, 2013</ref> In Idaho Falls, Melaleuca has a local workforce of about 2,000 employees.<ref name="FrankDiscussion" />{{rp|60}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sunderland|first1=Nate|title=Melaleuca Unveils Global Headquarters|url=http://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/03/melaleuca-unveils-global-headquarters/|access-date=September 21, 2015|work=East Idaho News|date=March 16, 2015}}</ref> | |||
VanderSloot hired a new research and development team whose work resulted in <ref name=Berman/><ref>{{cite news | title=Idaho on top in patents issued | work=Idaho Business Review | date=July 23, 2007 | accessdate=November 19, 2012 | author=Kovsky, Eddie}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=New Melaleuca facility in Idaho Falls will have significant economic impact | work=Idaho Business Review | date=October 19, 2012 | accessdate=November 19, 2012 | author=Olson, Sean}}</ref> the company's current portfolio of over 350 products,<ref>{{cite web|title=Product Store|url=http://www.melaleuca.com/ProductStore/ProductStore.aspx|publisher=Melaleuca Inc.|accessdate=27 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Carlson|first=Brad|title=By the numbers: Idaho-based Melaleuca Inc.|accessdate=November 19, 2012|newspaper=Idaho Business Review|date=June 5, 2006}}</ref> including ], cleaning supplies, and personal-care products, distributed through multilevel marketing.<ref name=Berman/><ref name=motherjones/><ref name=MJ2>{{Cite news|last=Mencimer|first=Stephanie|title=Get-Rich-Quick Profiteers Love Mitt Romney, and He Loves Them Back|url=http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/04/mitt-romney-nu-skin-multilevel-marketing-schemes|accessdate=September 8, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May/June 2012}}</ref><ref name=RS1>{{Cite news|last=Dickinson|first=Tim|title=Right-Wing Billionaires Behind Mitt Romney|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/right-wing-billionaires-behind-mitt-romney-20120524|accessdate=September 8, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 24, 2012}}</ref> | |||
VanderSloot says that the company has a "business model for those people who want to supplement their income."<ref name="inc" /> However, according to the US Federal Trade Commission study on multi-level marketing companies, fewer than 0.29% of Melaleuca distributors make any profit and more than 99% of distributors lost money.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/public_comments/trade-regulation-rule-disclosure-requirements-and-prohibitions-concerning-business-opportunities-ftc.r511993-00010%C2%A0/00010-57283.pdf|title=The Case (for and) against Multi-level Marketing|last=Taylor|first=Jon|date=2011|website=FTC.GOV}}</ref> The FTC report goes on to note that the odds of winning from a single spin of the wheel in a game of roulette in Las Vegas are "22 times as great as the odds of profiting after enrolling as a Melaleuca distributor". | |||
VanderSloot says that the company has a "business model for those people who want to supplement their income."<ref name=inc /> According to Dan Popkey of the '']'', Melaleuca had 800,000 customers for its household and nutritional products {{as of|2011|alt=as of 2011}}. Roughly 37 percent were also part of the company's sales force of independent contractors, referred to as “marketing executives", and about 90 percent of the sales force averaged less than $2,100 in annual income from Melaleuca.<ref name=Popkey/> The average annual income for 72 percent of Melaleuca's marketing executives, according to a report issued by the company, {{as of|2006|alt=was}} $90. VanderSloot estimates that roughly 190,000 marketing executives "earn a check from Melaleuca each month", 20,000 of whom "make their primary living through the company". As executives recruit, their title changes and they make more money.<ref name=Onstot>{{Cite news|last=Onstot|first=Laura|title=Melaleuca Gives the Amway Treatment to "Natural" Products An Idaho Republican is moving expensive laundry detergent to neighbors everywhere|url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-11-21/news/melaleuca-gives-the-amway-treatment-to-natural-products/2/|accessdate=September 28, 2012|newspaper=]|date=November 21, 2007}}</ref> | |||
Melaleuca is a member of the United States ] |
Melaleuca is a member of the United States ],<ref name="DSA">{{Cite web|url=http://dsa.org/forms/CompanyFormPublicMembers/view?id=7F3000005B2 |title=About Direct Selling |publisher=Direct Selling Association |access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> a ] that engages in ] and ] on behalf of the multi-level marketing industry. In 2008, VanderSloot began a three-year term as one of the eight members of the Direct Selling Association's board of directors.<ref name="DSA2">{{Cite web|title=2008–2009 Officers, Board Members, Elected during DSA's Annual Meeting|url=http://www.dsa.org/press/press_releases/index.cfm?fa=show_release&docID=1834|publisher=]|access-date=October 1, 2012|date=May 30, 2009}}</ref> In December 2009, VanderSloot and his wife contributed $10,000 to the Direct Selling Association's ].<ref name="DSA3">{{Cite web|title=Direct Selling Association PAC Contributors 2010|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgave2.php?cmte=C00078535&cycle=2010|publisher=]|access-date=October 1, 2012}}</ref> | ||
Between 1991 and 1997, Melaleuca was investigated by Michigan regulators, the Idaho attorney general's office, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for various marketing violations. In 1991 Melaleuca received a cease-and-desist order for violating |
Between 1991 and 1997, Melaleuca was investigated by Michigan regulators, the Idaho attorney general's office, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for various marketing violations. In 1991 Melaleuca received a cease-and-desist order for violating Michigan's anti–] laws.<ref name="Ernsthausen">{{cite news|last=Jeff|first=Ernsthausen|title=Pyramid Insurance|newspaper=]|date=August 17, 2012}}</ref> In 1992, Melaleuca signed a consent decree with the states of Michigan and Idaho agreeing to "not engage in the marketing and promotion of an illegal pyramid."<ref name="Murphy">{{Cite news|last=Murphy|first=Eamon|title=Mitt Romney's Money Man: Who Is Frank L. VanderSloot?|url=http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/02/24/mitts-romneys-money-man-who-is-frank-l-vandersloot/|access-date=September 23, 2012|newspaper=AOL DailyFinance|date=February 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920001408/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/02/24/mitts-romneys-money-man-who-is-frank-l-vandersloot/|archive-date=September 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="motherjones" /><ref name="RS1" /><ref name="Greenwald">{{Cite news|last=Greenwald|first=Glenn|title=Billionaire Romney donor uses threats to silence critics|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/02/17/billionaire_romney_donor_uses_threats_to_silence_critics/|access-date=September 16, 2012|newspaper=]|date=February 17, 2012}}</ref><ref name="BillMoyers">{{cite news|title=On Democracy Pity the Poor Billionaires|url=http://billmoyers.com/2012/06/01/pity-the-poor-billionaires/|access-date=November 21, 2012|newspaper=Bill Moyers.com|date=June 1, 2012|author=]|author2=Michael Winship}}</ref><ref name="IdahoConsentDecree">{{cite news|title=In the matter of Attorney General Larry Echohawk's investigation into the business practices of Melaleuca|url=https://www.motherjones.com/files/melaleuca1991avc-1.pdf|access-date=November 17, 2012|newspaper=District Court 7th Judicial District|date=October 24, 1991}}</ref> In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent Melaleuca a warning letter for "false and misleading" claims about two of its supplements.<ref name="Murphy" /><ref name="RS1" /><ref name="Greenwald" /><ref name="FDA1">{{Cite news|last=Hayes|first=Joseph E|title=Warning Letter (No. 97-NSV-08) to Frank VanderSloot, CEO Melaleuca, Inc.|url=https://www.fda.gov/downloads/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/1997/UCM065697.pdf|access-date=September 22, 2012|newspaper=]|date=July 3, 1997}}</ref><ref name="TanSheet">{{Cite journal|title=Melaleuca Replenex halt cartilage degeneration claim draws FDA warning letter|journal=The Tan Sheet|date=July 28, 1997|volume=5|series=Article # 05050300012|issue=30|url=http://www.elsevierbi.com/publications/the-tan-sheet/05/030/melaleuca-replenex-halt-cartilage-degeneration-claim-draws-fda-warning-letter|access-date=September 22, 2012}}</ref> In a paper on multi-level marketing, the FTC notes that "Melaleuca fails to disclose that approximately 99% of all participants lose money and therefore get further behind financially because of their participation".<ref name="auto"/> | ||
In June 2020, the FTC sent a warning letter to Melaleuca regarding false and deceptive earnings claims during the ] that were unsubstantiated and inconsistent with earlier FTC findings that less than 1% of Melaleuca distributors realize any profit with the vast majority losing money.<ref name="FTC060520">{{cite web |last1=Gressin |first1=Seena |title=FTC again warns multi-level marketers about unproven health and earnings claims |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2020/06/ftc-again-warns-multi-level-marketers-about-unproven-health |publisher=] |access-date=June 20, 2020 |date=June 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name="FTC060520B">{{cite web |title=Warning Regarding Earnings Claims Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/warning-letters/covid-19-letter_to_melaleuca.pdf |publisher=] |access-date=June 20, 2020 |date=June 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Forbes060920">{{cite news |last1=Voytko |first1=Lisette |title=FTC Warns 16 Multi-Level Marketing Companies About Coronavirus Fraud |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/06/09/ftc-warns-16-multi-level-marketing-companies-about-coronavirus-fraud/#3ed875357b9d |access-date=June 20, 2020 |work=] |date=June 9, 2020}}</ref> | |||
===Other businesses=== | ===Other businesses=== | ||
====Ranching==== | ====Ranching==== | ||
In 1993, VanderSloot founded Riverbend Ranch, |
In 1993, VanderSloot founded Riverbend Ranch, one of the largest purebred ranches and largest commercial cattle operations in the United States.<ref name="Ranch1">{{cite web|last1=O'Connell|first1=John|title=Ranch maintains family's link to tradition|url=http://www.capitalpress.com/content/JO-VanderSlootRanch-022712|website=www.capitalpress.com|publisher=Capital Press|access-date=15 November 2017|location=Idaho Falls|date=30 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143745/https://www.capitalpress.com/content/jo-vanderslootranch-022712/|archive-date=November 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LandReport" /><ref name="cascade">{{cite news|last=Malson|first=Maggie|title=Dedicated to the Beef Industry – Riverbend Ranch|url=http://www.cascadehorseman.com/articles/2006/02/07/cattleman/news01.txt|access-date=November 6, 2012|newspaper=Cascade Horseman|date=February 7, 2006|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119002014/http://www.cascadehorseman.com/articles/2006/02/07/cattleman/news01.txt|archive-date=January 19, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ranch received 21 awards at the ] between 1995 and 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=UTAH STATE FAIR SALUTES WINNERS|newspaper=Deseret News|date=October 8, 1995|page=A18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=From Horses to Horticulture – 1997 Fair Winners|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|page=B4}}</ref><ref name="Cream">{{cite news|title=Cream of the Crop: This Year's Roundup of Utah State Fair Winners; More State Fair Winners|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 28, 1996|page=B5}}</ref> The Ranch runs a genetics and breeding program<ref name="cascade" /> and hosted the world's largest ] sale in March 2012.<ref name="Ranch1" /> According to Riverbend Ranch general manager David Brown, VanderSloot established its mission as "providing ranchers in the Intermountain West with the best genetics at an affordable price."<ref name="Ranch1" /> Riverbend Ranch has operations in three other states,<ref>{{cite news|last=Iverson-Long|first=Brad|title=Investment fund launches for ranches|newspaper=Idaho Business Review|date=November 15, 2012|quote=...VanderSloot family, which owns Riverbend Ranch, which lists ranch property in Idaho Falls and three other states. Frank VanderSloot is also the CEO of Melaleuca, a mail order company with $1 billion in annual sales.}}</ref> including Fort Ranch Quarter Horses, a horse ranch in ].<ref name="ranch3">{{cite web|title=FORT RANCH, PROMONTORY, UTAH|url=http://www.fortranch.com/|publisher=Fort Ranch|access-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> | ||
====Natural Guardian Land Holdings==== | ====Natural Guardian Land Holdings==== | ||
In 1994, VanderSloot created Natural Guardian Limited Partnership (doing business as Natural Guardian, LLC as of 2011<ref name=NGLP1>{{cite news|title=Statement of Conversion |
In 1994, VanderSloot created Natural Guardian Limited Partnership (doing business as Natural Guardian, LLC, as of 2011),<ref name="NGLP1">{{cite news|title=Statement of Conversion – Natural Guardian Limited Partnership|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corpimage/%5C20110811%5C02447X0311223094307.tif|access-date=November 3, 2012|newspaper=Idaho Secretary of State|date=August 10, 2011}}</ref> a ] that owns or leases approximately 1,500 acres of land in Wolverine Canyon, ].<ref name="NGLP2">{{cite news|last=Hagadone|first=Zach|title=Bingham County Judge Stalls Wind Project Idaho Business Review|url=http://idahobusinessreview.com/2009/08/31/bingham-county-judge-stalls-wind-project-2/|access-date=November 3, 2012|newspaper=Idaho Business Review|date=August 21, 2009}}</ref> | ||
====Broadcasting==== | ====Broadcasting==== | ||
VanderSloot owns Riverbend Communications, a group of radio stations in Eastern Idaho. He purchased the company from Bonneville Communications in 2006. Riverbend Communications operates ] ''Classy 97'', ] ''Kbear 101'', ] ''105.5 The Hawk'', ] ''Z103'', ] ''News-Talk AM 690 |
VanderSloot owns Riverbend Communications, a group of radio stations in Eastern Idaho.<ref>{{cite news|title=Don Jarrett named program director for KTHK-FM|newspaper=Idaho State Journal|date=March 12, 2013|location=Pocatello, ID}}</ref><ref name="StaffStaff2004">{{cite book|author1=Bowker Staff|author2=CSA Journal Staff|title=Bowker's News Media Directory|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fW_gAAAAMAAJ|access-date=April 22, 2013|year=2004|publisher=R.R. Bowker|pages=D–27|isbn=9781600301001}}</ref> He purchased the company from Bonneville Communications in 2006.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Industry Briefs|journal=Enterprise|date=Jan 2–8, 2006|quote=Bonneville International, Salt Lake City, has negotiated an agreement with Frank L. VanderSloot of Idaho Fails wherein Bonneville agrees to negotiate exclusively with VanderSloot for the potential sale of its Eastern Idaho Radio Group. The group now consists of six radio stations with a mix of AM and FM frequencies.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Deals|journal=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 20, 2006|page=26}}</ref> Riverbend Communications operates ] ''Classy 97'', ] ''Kbear 101'', ] ''105.5 The Hawk'', ] ''Z103'', ] ''News-Talk AM 690 – 1260'', and ] AM 1260.<ref name="Radio1"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129015643/http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2166581&spid=30800 |date=November 29, 2014 }} Radio Ink Magazine.</ref> | ||
====Snake River Cheese factory ==== | ==== Snake River Cheese factory ==== | ||
In 1994, VanderSloot was approached by two dairy farmers with a plea to invest in the Snake River Cheese factory in ], after ] had announced a decision to close it. Kraft had operated the plant since the early 1920s.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Jersey company buys Snake River Cheese |
In 1994, VanderSloot was approached by two dairy farmers with a plea to invest in the Snake River Cheese factory in ], after ] had announced a decision to close it.<ref name="FriendToDairy">{{cite news|last=O'CONNELL|first=John|title=Obama campaign 'enemy' a friend to dairy, farmer says|newspaper=Capital Press|date=August 28, 2012|location=FIRTH, Idaho}}</ref> Kraft had operated the plant since the early 1920s.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Jersey company buys Snake River Cheese|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|date=November 30, 2000|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In response, VanderSloot bought a $1 million interest in the plant, and an ] assumed control, but the operation closed anyway within six months. VanderSloot then paid off a $2 million debt the company owed to the dairymen, staffed the plant with his own personnel and supplemented the milking herd with two thousand head of cattle.<ref name="Manning">{{cite news|last=Manning|first=Josh|title=New Jersey Firm Buys Blackfoot, Idaho, Cheese Factory|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67577036.html?key=01-42160D517E1E136C140D021C002252212B5C2256292F2F5B354D4760641A607F137118731B7B1D6B755B|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203061215/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67577036.html?key=01-42160D517E1E136C140D021C002252212B5C2256292F2F5B354D4760641A607F137118731B7B1D6B755B|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=]|date=December 4, 2000}}</ref><ref name="OConnell">O'Connell, John. {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130119194123/http://www.capitalpress.com/newest/JO-VanderSlootDonation-082812 |date=January 19, 2013 }} Capital Press. August 30, 2012</ref> | ||
He promised that all |
He promised that all five hundred people whose jobs depended on the plant would remain employed and leased the plant to ], a subsidiary of ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wisconsin company and Snake River Cheese complete negotiations|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|date=August 29, 1999}}</ref> In 1999, the facility netted $278 million in sales. The next year, VanderSloot sold his interest in the company to Suprema Specialties<ref name="Manning" /><ref name="Suprema10Q">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2341/89155401500716/filing-main.htm |title=SUPREMA SPECIALTIES INC, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Feb 13, 2001 |publisher=secdatabase.com |access-date =May 15, 2018}}</ref> after Beatrice broke its lease.<ref>{{cite news|title=Beatrice will remain at cheese plant until year's end|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|date=August 8, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Blackfoot, Idaho, Cheese Plant to Stop Production of Health Choice Line|newspaper=Knight Ridder Tribune Business News|date=September 16, 2000|agency=World Reporter}}</ref> VanderSloot again promised that employees would keep their jobs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Manning|first=Josh|title=New Jerseys Suprema Specialties Buys Idahos Snake River Cheese|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67511537.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203061215/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67511537.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2016|access-date=November 22, 2012|newspaper=Idaho|date=November 30, 2000|agency=McClatchy-Tribune Business News}}</ref> In 2006, the factory, which by then had been renamed as the Blackfoot Cheese Company, was sold to Sartori Foods,<ref name="Draper">{{cite news|last=Draper|first=Nick|title=Cheese changing hands Sartori Foods completes deal to purchase Blackfoot firm|url=http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1026-07152006&today=2006-07-15|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=]|date=July 15, 2006}}</ref> and in 2013, the plant was purchased from Sartori by Glanbia Foods, Inc.<ref name="TN_031913">{{cite news|title=Glanbia Buys Blackfoot Cheese Plant|url=http://magicvalley.com/business/glanbia-buys-blackfoot-cheese-plant/article_e20292a0-90c3-11e2-afa6-001a4bcf887a.html|access-date=August 1, 2017|publisher=]|date=Mar 19, 2013}}</ref> | ||
====Paving and construction==== | ====Paving and construction==== | ||
VanderSloot was the owner of HighStone (formerly Eagle Rock Construction; RBH Gravel; VIP Construction) an Idaho Falls-based asphalt construction and maintenance company.<ref name=Edlefsen>{{Cite news|last=Edlefsen|first=Joyce|title=VanderSloot-owned company merges with DePatco|url=http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/vandersloot-owned-company-merges-with-depatco/article_385100a8-db1f-11e0-a0a7-001cc4c03286.html |
VanderSloot was the owner of HighStone (formerly Eagle Rock Construction; RBH Gravel; VIP Construction), an Idaho Falls-based asphalt construction and maintenance company.<ref name="Edlefsen">{{Cite news|last=Edlefsen|first=Joyce|title=VanderSloot-owned company merges with DePatco|url=http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/vandersloot-owned-company-merges-with-depatco/article_385100a8-db1f-11e0-a0a7-001cc4c03286.html|access-date=September 30, 2011|newspaper=Rexburg Standard Journal|date=September 9, 2011}}</ref> HighStone was the prime contractor on a $421,000 state government contract to repair a stretch of ] in Idaho Falls,<ref name="IDOT">{{cite press release |last=King |first=Bruce |title=Crack sealing is under way on Idaho 33 east of Newdale|date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Idaho Transportation Department |url=http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/PressRelease.aspx/Preview/3680 |access-date=August 22, 2013|quote=Highstone Inc., of Idaho Falls, is the prime contractor on this $421,000 contract.}}</ref> and worked on a road project in Rexburg.<ref name="Edlefsen" /> In September 2011, HighStone merged with DePatco, a family-owned heavy construction company in ]. The merger created eastern Idaho's largest locally owned construction company.<ref name="Edlefsen" /> | ||
===Net worth |
===Net worth=== | ||
''Forbes'' estimated |
VanderSloot does not publicly disclose his personal worth;<ref name="Popkey" />' however, in 2004, '']'' magazine estimated that Melaleuca was worth $1.4 billion and that VanderSloot's share of the company (55 percent of the voting stock and 44 percent of the nonvoting stock), was worth $700 million.<ref name="Berman" /><ref name="Popkey" /> According to Dan Popkey of the ], the company's value had grown to between $3.2 billion and $3.9 billion by 2011, and VanderSloot's net worth was estimated at more than $1 billion.<ref name="Popkey" /> {{As of|2012|alt=In}} 2012, the '']'' listed VanderSloot as the 92nd largest landowner in the United States.<ref name="LandReport2012">{{Cite web|title=2012 Land Report 100|url=http://www.landreport.com/americas-100-largest-landowners|work=The Land Report|date=April 10, 2008|access-date=October 8, 2012}}</ref> In 2013, VanderSloot was listed by '']'' as the wealthiest individual in the state of Idaho, with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.<ref name="Wealth">{{cite web|last1=Willett|first1=Megan|title=Meet The Wealthiest Person In Every US State|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-wealthiest-person-in-every-us-state-2013-10?op=1|website=Business Insider|access-date=August 1, 2014|date=October 30, 2013}}</ref> In 2017, VanderSloot was listed in the ] as the 302nd wealthiest American with a net worth of $2.7 billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Forbes names VanderSloot one of the richest 400 people in America|url=https://www.eastidahonews.com/2017/10/forbes-names-vandersloot-one-of-the-richest-400-people-in-america/|website=East Idaho News|date=October 17, 2017|access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref> | ||
==Public activity== | ==Public activity== | ||
===United States Chamber of Commerce=== | ===United States Chamber of Commerce=== | ||
VanderSloot is on the board of directors and executive board of the ].<ref name=Chamber1> |
VanderSloot is on the board of directors and executive board of the ].<ref name="Chamber1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.uschamber.com/about/governance/board-of-directors|title=U.S. Chamber Board of Directors|website=www.uschamber.com}}</ref><ref name="Popkey" /> | ||
===Taxation Task Force=== | ===Taxation Task Force=== | ||
In 1993, VanderSloot served on the Taxation Task Force of the White House Conference on Small Business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Idaho Falls business leader selected for White House Conference on Small Business Taxation Task Force |
In 1993, VanderSloot served on the Taxation Task Force of the White House Conference on Small Business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Idaho Falls business leader selected for White House Conference on Small Business Taxation Task Force|newspaper=Business Wire|date=December 6, 1993}}</ref><ref name="Office2000">{{cite book|author=U.S. Small Business Administration|title=Building the Foundation for a New Century: Final Report on Implementation of the Recommendations of the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business|date=August 1, 2000|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|isbn=0-16-050463-5}}<!--|access-date=June 14, 2013--></ref> | ||
===Campaign financing === | === Campaign financing === | ||
====Mitt Romney for President==== | ====Mitt Romney for President==== | ||
VanderSloot |
VanderSloot was one of 47 finance co-chairs for ] ] and served under eight finance chairs.<ref>{{cite web|last=Madden|first=Kevin|title=GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES NATIONAL FINANCE CHAIRS AND CO-CHAIRS|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/romney/romney073107prnf.html|access-date=April 23, 2013|location=Boston}}</ref> He also served as a finance co-chair for Romney's ] presidential campaign.<ref name="Murphy" /><ref name="NYT1" /><ref name="USFedNews">{{cite press release|title=Governor Mitt Romney Announces National Finance Chairs And Co-Chairs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070801202452/http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/National_Finance_Committee|url=http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/National_Finance_Committee|archive-date=1 August 2007|date=August 6, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Mason1">{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Melanie|title=Money is on the unofficial agenda at the Republican National Convention|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-0830-money-20120830,0,1301460.story|access-date=November 11, 2012|newspaper=]|date=August 29, 2012}}</ref> In 2012, VanderSloot's companies contributed $1.1 million to the ] political action committee, which was supporting Romney for President.<ref name="motherjones">{{Cite web|last=Mencimer|first=Stephanie|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/02/mitt-romney-melaleuca-frank-vandersloot|title=Pyramid-Like Company Ponies Up $1 Million for Mitt Romney|work=Mother Jones|access-date=November 15, 2017|date=February 6, 2012}}</ref> According to VanderSloot, he raised between $2 million and $5 million for the Romney campaign.<ref name="Vogel1" /> | ||
On April 20, 2012, a website operated by ] |
On April 20, 2012, a website operated by ]'s ] included VanderSloot on a list of eight major donors to Romney's campaign whom it described as having "questionable and troubling records on various issues." The site said VanderSloot was "litigious, combative, and a bitter foe of the gay rights movement."<ref name="ObamaForAmerica">{{Cite news|title=Behind the curtain: A brief history of Romney's donors|url=http://www.barackobama.com/truth-team/entry/behind-the-curtain-a-brief-history-of-romneys-donors/|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=]|date=April 20, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825122221/http://www.barackobama.com/truth-team/entry/behind-the-curtain-a-brief-history-of-romneys-donors/|archive-date=August 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="IPTaudit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.idahopress.com/news/state/vandersloot-subject-of-irs-labor-dept-audits/article_d438c2f4-f2e8-56f6-9c0c-2cb8d22557fc.html|title=Vandersloot subject of IRS, Labor Dept. audits|author=TODD DVORAK|agency=Associated Press|date=July 25, 2012|website=Idaho Press}}</ref><ref name="Weber1">{{Cite news|last=Weber|first=Joseph|title=Romney donor bashed by Obama campaign now target of two federal audits|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/romney-donor-bashed-by-obama-campaign-now-target-of-two-federal-audits/|access-date=September 17, 2012|publisher=]|date=July 25, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Seabrook">{{Cite news|last=Seabrook|first=Andrea|title=Big Political Donors Shy Away From Public Scrutiny|url=http://m.npr.org/story/155306187?url=/2012/06/20/155306187/big-political-donors-shy-away-from-public-scrutiny|access-date=September 17, 2012|publisher=]|date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> VanderSloot made a series of television appearances, in some of which he called for donations to Romney in protest of the list.<ref name="Vogel1">{{Cite news|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P|title=Mega-donors: Quit picking on us|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/76899.html|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 31, 2012}}</ref> VanderSloot accused the Obama campaign of targeting him unfairly and said that he went through "living hell" as a result. He told ] host ] that Melaleuca had lost about two hundred customers in the first two weeks after the Obama website's reference to him;<ref name="IPTaudit" /><ref name="Schouten1">{{Cite news|last=Schouten|first=Fredreka|title=Democrats, GOP debate political non-profits' donors|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-06-19/nonprofits-campaign-donors-disclosure/55698330/1|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=]|date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> Two days later, he told the ] that "unbelievable" and "unexpected" national support in the intervening period was turning out to be good for business.<ref name="Cockerham" /> | ||
In July 2012, VanderSloot said he was the subject of two new federal audits, one by the ] and the other by the ].<ref name=IPTaudit/><ref name=Strassel2>{{cite news|last=Strassel|first=Kimberly|title=Obama's Enemies List |
In July 2012, VanderSloot said he was the subject of two new federal audits, one by the ] and the other by the ].<ref name="IPTaudit" /><ref name="Strassel2">{{cite news|last=Strassel|first=Kimberly|title=Obama's Enemies List – Part II|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 20, 2012|page=A9}}</ref> VanderSloot had not been audited in the thirty-year period before the Obama campaign listing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Noonan|first=Peggy|title=Declarations: This Is No Ordinary Scandal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323582904578487460479247792|access-date=June 25, 2013|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=May 18, 2013|page=A15}}</ref> VanderSloot said that the timing of the audits was curious and questionable, claiming that he received notice of the IRS audit two months after he was "singled out by the Obama campaign." He noted that he did not think that the President was directly behind the audits.<ref name="IPTaudit" /><ref name="Prentice1">{{Cite news|last=Prentice|first=George|title=Vandersloot Says Being on 'Enemies List' Triggered Audits|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2012/07/26/ap-vandersloot-says-being-on-enemies-list-triggered-audits|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=]|date=July 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Smith1">{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Lenny|title=VanderSloot to be audited by two federal agencies|url=http://www.localnews8.com/news/VanderSloot-to-be-audited-by-two-federal-agencies/-/308662/15682276/-/jppwd5/-/index.html|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=]|date=July 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728033459/http://www.localnews8.com/news/VanderSloot-to-be-audited-by-two-federal-agencies/-/308662/15682276/-/jppwd5/-/index.html|archive-date=July 28, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Mrque">{{Cite web|url=http://www.komonews.com/news/local/-Vandersloot-subject-of-IRS-Labor-Dept-audits-163778656.html|title=Assem Mrque and Diaa Hadid, "VanderSloot Subject of IRS, Labor Dept. Audits," Associated Press at KOMOnews.com, July 25, 2012|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=August 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829151642/http://www.komonews.com/news/local/-Vandersloot-subject-of-IRS-Labor-Dept-audits-163778656.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ultimately, the audits found no wrongdoing but VanderSloot paid $80,000 to defend himself during the audit process.<ref name="StrasselTop">{{cite news|last=Strassel|first=Kimberly|title=The IRS Scandal Started at the Top|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=May 20, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Reilly">{{Cite episode |title=Special Edition: Scandals |url=http://www.billoreilly.com/show?action=viewTVShow&showID=3399 |access-date=June 25, 2013 |series=The O'Reilly Factor |credits=], Frank L. VanderSloot |network=Fox News |date=May 24, 2013 }}</ref> | ||
Three ] published by the ] criticized the campaign's treatment of VanderSloot and other top Romney donors.<ref name=Strassel2 /><ref name=WSJ> |
A number of commentators expressed disapproval of the campaign's depiction of VanderSloot.<ref>{{cite news|last=Newby|first=Joe|title=Romney donor alleges Team Obama targeting his children, hurting business|newspaper=Spokane Examiner|date=May 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=OTHER NEWSPAPERS' VIEWS VanderSloot audit timing is suspicious – It could be coincidence, but it could also be Obama engaging in Chicago-style bullying|newspaper=Idaho Press-Tribune|date=July 31, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Curtis|first=Steve|title=Wealthy Idaho Romney donor says he's being smeared by Obama campaign|newspaper=Standard-Examiner|date=May 17, 2012|location=IDAHO FALLS, Idaho}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Businesses, employees must stand up to Big Government to save country|newspaper=Idaho Press-Tribune|date=July 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Editorial|title=Is Vandersloot being targeted?|newspaper=Idaho State Journal|date=July 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=THE PRESIDENT'S ENEMY PAYS A PRICE|newspaper=U-T San Diego|date=July 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Shapiro2013">{{cite book|author=Ben Shapiro|title=Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences Americans|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9EJc_ngBO8EC&pg=PT154|access-date=April 23, 2013|date=January 8, 2013|publisher=Threshold Editions|isbn=978-1-4767-1001-3|page=154}}</ref><ref name="ALLEN-MILLS">{{cite news|last=ALLEN-MILLS|first=TONY|title=Obama left floundering as scandals knock wind out of his second-term sails|newspaper=THE SUNDAY TIMES|date=May 20, 2013|location=Washington}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Spalding|first=Matthew|title=Patriotic Americans should redouble their efforts|newspaper=Deseret News|date=May 19, 2013|agency=Deseret News Publishing Co.|page=G04}}</ref> Three ] published by the '']'' criticized the campaign's treatment of VanderSloot and other top Romney donors.<ref name="Strassel2" /><ref name="WSJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304203604577397031654422966|title=The President's Hit List|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=May 11, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515041530/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304203604577397031654422966.html|archivedate=May 15, 2012|accessdate=November 18, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Strassel">{{cite web|last=Strassel|first=Kimberley A.|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304070304577396412560038208|title=Trolling for Dirt on the President's List|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=May 10, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515041251/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304070304577396412560038208.html|archivedate=May 15, 2012|url-status=dead|accessdate=November 18, 2021}}</ref> The critiques, two of which were authored by ''Wall Street Journal'' contributor ], were disputed by television host ],<ref name="Maddow050512" /> '']'' editor Marty Trillhaase,<ref name="Trillhaase2">{{cite news|last=Trillhaase|first=Marty|title=Picking On Idaho's defenseless millionaire|url=http://media.spokesman.com/documents/2012/08/1955_001.pdf|access-date=November 13, 2012|newspaper=]|date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> and David Shere of ]<ref name="Shere1">{{cite news|last=Shere|first=David|title=Fox, WSJ Pass Off Top Romney Campaign Official As A "Private Citizen"|newspaper=]|date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> but were supported by the editorial page of '']''<ref>{{cite news|title=The Week|newspaper=National Review|date=June 11, 2012}}</ref> and Henry Reske of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://itmakessenseblog.com/2012/04/29/dirty-dirty-dirty-obama-campaign-tries-to-intimidate-romney-donors/|title=Dirty, Dirty, Dirty – Obama Campaign Tries to Intimidate Romney Donors|last=Reske|first=Henry|date=April 27, 2012|website=itmakessenseblog.com|access-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805001333/http://itmakessenseblog.com/2012/04/29/dirty-dirty-dirty-obama-campaign-tries-to-intimidate-romney-donors/|archive-date=August 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the election, Mitt Romney described the Obama campaign's treatment of VanderSloot as "a very dangerous and troubling development".<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAVUTO for June 7, 2013 |website=] |url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/cavuto/index.html |date=June 7, 2013 |quote=CAVUTO: I mean, we talked to Frank VanderSloot, of course, a major donor to your campaign. He was subjected to no fewer than three agency audits. He was vindicated on each and all, but he had to pay $80,000, $85,000, I think he was telling me when he was here, in various attorney and accountant fees just to protect his good name. ROMNEY: Well, this is a very dangerous and troubling development |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702163530/http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/cavuto/index.html |archive-date=July 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ] complained about VanderSloot's treatment in a speech on the floor of the ] in May 2013,<ref>{{cite journal|last=McClintock|first=Tom|title=House Proceedings|journal=Congressional Record|date=May 16, 2013|volume=159|issue=69}}</ref> and ] separately made a similar statement on the floor of the Senate.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Rubio|first=Marco|title=Senate Proceedings|journal=Congressional Record|date=May 15, 2013|volume=159|issue=68}}</ref> | ||
==== |
====2016 Presidential Election==== | ||
In June 2015, VanderSloot and his wife gave $50,000 to a political action committee (Conservative Solutions PAC) funding Florida senator ] campaign as the Republican Party nominee for the 2016 presidential election. VanderSloot also contributed $2,700, the maximum allowed by law, to the GOP presidential campaign of former technology executive ].<ref name=Statesman_111815>{{cite news|last1=Russell|first1=Betsy Z|title=VanderSloot endorses Marco Rubio, will raise $$ for his campaign|url=http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2015/nov/18/vandersloot-endorses-marco-rubio-will-raise-his-campaign/|access-date=November 27, 2015|newspaper=]|date=November 18, 2015}}</ref> In November 2015, VanderSloot announced that he supported Rubio for president and that he planned to host fundraisers and bundle contributions on Rubio's behalf.<ref name=Slate_111815>{{cite magazine|last1=Voorhees|first1=Josh|title=Marco Rubio Just Won the Backing of Another GOP Megadonor|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/11/18/marco_rubio_s_new_gop_megadonor_is_frank_vandersloot.html|access-date=November 27, 2015|magazine=]|date=November 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Sean|title=Rubio lands billionaire GOP donor Frank VanderSloot|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/18/rubio-lands-billionaire-gop-donor-frank-vandersloot/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 11, 2015|format=November 18, 2015}}</ref> In June 2016, VanderSloot said that he was ready to support ] as the "best bet" to defeat Hillary Clinton, and in September of that year ] made a private visit to VanderSloot at Melaleuca headquarters.<ref name=trumpjr/> Following the presidential election in November 2016, VanderSloot announced on Twitter that Trump was not his first, second, or third choice as a candidate but that it was "time for all of us to come together and unite behind our new president."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/big-donors-wary-but-some-ready-to-back-donald-trump-candidacy-1414210|title=Big Donors Wary, But Some Ready To Back Donald Trump Candidacy|work=NDTV.com|access-date=April 19, 2017}}</ref><ref name=trumpjr>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eastidahonews.com/2016/09/trump-jr-stops-by-idaho-falls-for-private-meeting-at-melaleuca/|title=Trump Jr. visits Idaho Falls for private meeting at Melaleuca – East Idaho News|date=September 21, 2016|work=East Idaho News|access-date=April 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/flvandersloot/status/797876837732859906?lang=en|title=Frank L VanderSloot on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=April 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/gop-donors-donald-trump-224218|title=Furious GOP donors stew over Trump|work=POLITICO|access-date=April 19, 2017}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | VanderSloot spent $1.3 million in 2012 to sponsor |
||
====Idaho ballot measures==== | |||
Vandersloot was the primary financial supporter of United Families Idaho Action Fund, a PAC that supported a successful anti-same-sex marriage constitutional amendment (]) in Idaho 2006.<ref name="UFI1">{{cite news|last=Russell|first=Betsy Z.|title=Bill challenges Idaho tribal casinos|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/19/bill-challenges-idaho-tribal-casinos/|access-date=March 23, 2013|newspaper=]|date=March 19, 2013}}</ref> Melaleuca was the top contributor to the PAC fund, giving $6,827 while VanderSloot and his wife contributed an additional $2,000.<ref name="UFI2">{{cite news|title=The Money Behind the 2006 Marriage Amendments |url=http://www.followthemoney.org/press/ReportView.phtml?r=329&ext=5&PHPSESSID=c96509fcb415851b3df81f151604c29b| publisher=]}}</ref> The amendment was struck down as unconstitutional in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pearce|first1=Matt|last2=La Ganga|first2=Maria L.|title=Idaho same-sex marriage ban struck down by federal judge|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-idaho-gay-marriage-20140513-story.html|access-date=June 21, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | VanderSloot spent $1.3 million in 2012 to sponsor television commercials and other advertising in favor of Propositions 1, 2, and 3, ballot ]s supporting education changes introduced and championed by Idaho public school supervisor ] in 2011. The three-part educational package, consisting of an eight-year $180 million program limiting teachers' collective bargaining rights, requiring online classes and mandating laptops for ninth-graders, was approved by the Idaho Legislature and was backed by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. An ] campaign placed the approval of the laws on the ballot, and they were defeated in a statewide vote.<ref name="Luna3">{{cite news|title=VanderSloot, unions up ante in ed overhaul fight The Associated Press|url=http://www.theolympian.com/2012/10/31/2303672/vandersloot-unions-up-ante-in.html#storylink=mirelated|access-date=November 1, 2012|newspaper=]|date=October 31, 2012|agency=]}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Sirota">{{cite news|last=Sirota|first=David|title=Phony school "reform" agenda takes a beating|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/11/13/phony_school_reform_agenda_takes_a_beating/|access-date=November 13, 2012|date=November 13, 2012}}</ref><ref> "StateImpact," a reporting project of local public media and National Public Radio</ref><ref name="Luna1">{{cite news|last=Popkey|first=Dan|title=Backing Luna's Idaho education reforms, VanderSloot counters union money|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/10/31/2329336/backing-lunas-idaho-education.html|access-date=November 1, 2012|newspaper=]|date=October 31, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Luna2">{{cite news|last=Davlin|first=Melissa|title=Donors Give Big Money to Props 1, 2, 3|url=http://magicvalley.com/news/local/donors-give-big-money-to-props/article_185a9d1d-f46d-5761-9279-a645da4e26ac.html|access-date=November 1, 2012|newspaper=]|date=November 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/marketplacek12/2012/11/idaho_voters_repeal_online_learning_performance_pay_measures.html|title=Jason Tomassini, "Idaho Voters Repeal Online Learning, Performance-Pay Measures," ''Education Week,'' November 7, 2012|access-date=February 27, 2013|archive-date=April 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426114610/http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/marketplacek12/2012/11/idaho_voters_repeal_online_learning_performance_pay_measures.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Miller1">{{cite news|last=Miller|first=John|title=Idaho voters rebuke Luna, Otter in dumping ed laws|url=http://www.kboi2.com/news/Idaho-Election-Education-Proposition-Luna-177667281.html|access-date=November 10, 2012|newspaper=]|date=November 7, 2012|agency=Associated Press|df=mdy-all}}{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | ||
====Idaho political and judicial campaigns==== | ====Idaho political and judicial campaigns==== | ||
According to Dan Popkey of the '']'' and Roger Plothow and Marty Trillhaase of the Idaho Falls '']'', VanderSloot supported Idaho Democrat ] |
According to Dan Popkey of the '']'' and Roger Plothow and Marty Trillhaase of the Idaho Falls '']'', VanderSloot supported Idaho Democrat ]'s 1994 ] campaign<ref name="Popkey" /> and endorsed Democrat ] for Idaho state ] in 2006.<ref name="Stallings1">{{Cite news|title=Stallings goes too far|url=http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1018-10062006&today=2006-10-06|access-date=September 25, 2012|newspaper=]|date=October 6, 2006|author=Roger Plothow|author2=Marty Trillhaase}}</ref><ref name="Popkey2">{{Cite news|last=Popkey|first=Dan|title=Twilegar is the best, but that may not be enough|url=http://idahoptv.org/idreports/showEditorial.cfm?StoryId=24122|access-date=September 25, 2012|newspaper=]|date=October 6, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415074212/http://idahoptv.org/idreports/showEditorial.cfm?StoryId=24122|archive-date=April 15, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> VanderSloot has been a major donor to Idaho Republicans,<ref name="Stallings1" /><ref name="Popkey2" /> according to Popkey, who described him as the state's "most boisterous conservative financier"<ref name="Popkey" /> and by ]'s Eamon Murphy, who called him "perhaps the single most influential campaign donor"<ref name="Murphy" /> in the state of Idaho. | ||
VanderSloot spent more than $100,000 on independent advertising on three winning judicial campaigns, two for ] and one for district judge in Bonneville County.<ref name=Popkey/> VanderSloot and Melaleuca were financial supporters of the PAC Concerned Citizens for Family Values.<ref name= |
VanderSloot spent more than $100,000 on independent advertising on three winning judicial campaigns, two for ] and one for district judge in Bonneville County.<ref name="Popkey" /> VanderSloot and Melaleuca were financial supporters of the PAC Concerned Citizens for Family Values.<ref name="Greenwald" /><ref name="CCFVIRS">{{cite news|title=IRS Form 8872: Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures|url=https://bulk.resource.org/irs.gov/section_527/part01/820524837-8872-0001.pdf|access-date=November 10, 2012|newspaper=]|date=August 24, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208052437/https://bulk.resource.org/irs.gov/section_527/part01/820524837-8872-0001.pdf|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Trillhaase">{{Cite news|last=Trillhaase|first=Marty|title=VanderSloot won Supreme Court race|url=http://idahoptv.org/idreports/showEditorial.cfm?StoryID=46584|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620001540/http://idahoptv.org/idreports/showEditorial.cfm?StoryID=46584|archive-date=June 20, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="FisherLMT1">{{Cite news|last=Fisher|first=Jim|title=If you buy radio stations, who needs attack ads?|url=http://idahoptv.org/idreports/showEditorial.cfm?StoryID=19167|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=]|date=January 3, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726105851/http://idahoptv.org/idreports/showEditorial.cfm?StoryID=19167|archive-date=July 26, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The PAC ran ads targeting incumbent Idaho Supreme Court Justice Cathy Silak during her 2000 re-election campaign against challenger Daniel T. Eismann.<ref name="Trillhaase" /><ref name="FisherLMT1" /> The ads alleged that if Silak were re-elected, same-sex marriage and "]" could have become legal in Idaho.<ref name="Cheek">{{Cite book|last=Cheek|first=Kyle|title=Judicial Politics in Texas: Partisanship, Money, and Politics in State Courts|year=2005|publisher=Peter Lang Publishing|location=New York, NY|author2=Champagne, Anthony|access-date=September 23, 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TW9R7YoVrc8C&q=Judicial+Politics+in+Texas|page=143|isbn=9780820467672}}</ref><ref name="Mayer">{{Cite book|last=Mayer|first=Martin|title=The Judges: A Penetrating Exploration of American Courts and of the New Decisions—Hard Decisions—They Must Make for a New Millennium|year=2006|publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York, NY|pages=229|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xWQSiv34Dc4C&q=%22Concerned+Citizens+for+Family+Values%22|isbn=9780312289751}}</ref> | ||
In 2002, VanderSloot and Melaleuca contributed more than $50,000 opposing the election bid of ] Keith Roark, a former Blaine County prosecutor, for Idaho Attorney General. The contributions included a $35,000 donation to |
In 2002, VanderSloot and Melaleuca contributed more than $50,000 opposing the election bid of ] Keith Roark, a former Blaine County prosecutor, for Idaho Attorney General. The contributions included a $35,000 donation to Roark's Republican opponent, ], and a $16,500 donation to Concerned Citizens for Family Values, an organization run by VanderSloot, to pay for ] against Roark in Eastern Idaho.<ref name="LMT1">{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BnZfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bC8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5769,251196&dq=melaleuca+multilevel&hl=en|title=Lewiston Morning Tribune - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref> That year, VanderSloot and Melaleuca also donated $7,000 towards Republican ]'s 2002 gubernatorial campaign .<ref name="SR1">{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=20031010&id=stwnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yPIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2815,8804743|title=The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref> | ||
In 2006 VanderSloot and his wife Belinda donated nearly $16,000 through the PAC Citizens for Truth and Justice, and via direct payments for ads opposing the reelection of Idaho 7th District Court Judge James Herndon, a Democrat, in a three-way race against challengers Darren Simpson and DaLon Esplin.<ref name=Davidson>{{Cite news|last=Davidson|first=Phil|title=Herndon, Simpson in lead for runoff Unofficial results show Esplin trailing in three-way race for 7th District judge.|url=http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1002-05242006&today=2006-05-24%2000:00:00| |
In 2006, VanderSloot and his wife, Belinda, donated nearly $16,000 through the PAC Citizens for Truth and Justice, and via direct payments for ads opposing the reelection of Idaho 7th District Court Judge James Herndon, a Democrat, in a three-way race against challengers Darren Simpson and DaLon Esplin.<ref name="Davidson">{{Cite news|last=Davidson|first=Phil|title=Herndon, Simpson in lead for runoff Unofficial results show Esplin trailing in three-way race for 7th District judge.|url=http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1002-05242006&today=2006-05-24%2000:00:00|access-date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 24, 2006|quote=The race to fill 7th District Judge James Herndon's seat appeared to be headed into a runoff...challenger Darren Simpson and…DaLon Esplin… Though the campaigning among the candidates was cordial, Herndon was attacked on May 7, when a newly formed political action committee, Citizens for Truth and Justice, ran an 'Anybody but Herndon' ad in the Post Register...Melaleuca Inc. Chief Executive Officer Frank VanderSloot, Watkins' boss, contributed $5,000 to the group...Ads criticizing Herndon have also aired on radio stations run by Riverbend Communications, a company VanderSloot owns with his wife, Belinda}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="Taule">{{Cite news|last=Taule|first=Corey|title=Simpson asked to step down from case – A former Melaleuca employee believes he won't get a fair trial in front of the judge|url=http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1001-03312007&today=2007-03-31|access-date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=]|date=March 31, 2007|quote=Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot publicly and financially supported Simpson's successful effort to knock off sitting Judge James Herndon last year...VanderSloot and his wife, Belinda, through donations to an anti-Herndon group called Citizens for Justice and through direct payments for advertising, spent nearly $16,000 to help Simpson win office}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Ads criticizing Herndon also aired on radio stations run by Riverbend Communications, owned by VanderSloot and his wife.<ref name="Davidson" /> | ||
In 2010 VanderSloot funded two PACs that launched last-minute ads against Idaho 2nd District Judge John Bradbury, a Democrat, during his electoral run for state Supreme Court against Republican incumbent Justice Roger Burdick.<ref name=Clark>{{Cite news|last=Clark|first=Corbin|title=Attack ads have local link|url=http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1004-05252010&today=2010-05-25| |
In 2010, VanderSloot funded two PACs that launched last-minute ads against Idaho 2nd District Judge John Bradbury, a Democrat, during his electoral run for state Supreme Court against Republican incumbent Justice Roger Burdick.<ref name="Clark">{{Cite news|last=Clark|first=Corbin|title=Attack ads have local link|url=http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1004-05252010&today=2010-05-25|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name="KTVB">{{Cite news|title=Groups must pay $1,900 fines for illegal campaigns|url=http://www.ktvb.com/news/Groups-must-pay-1900-fines-for-illegal-campaigns-95564854.html|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=]|date=June 3, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607042208/http://www.ktvb.com/news/Groups-must-pay-1900-fines-for-illegal-campaigns-95564854.html|archive-date=June 7, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="Russel2">{{Cite news|last=Russell|first=Betsy Z|title=Groups fined over ads against judge|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/04/groups-fined-over-ads-against-judge/|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|date=June 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Statesman2010">{{Cite news|title=Ads attacking judicial candidate violated state disclosure law, official says|url=http://www.allvoices.com/news/5904565-ads-attacking-judicial-candidate-violated-state-disclosure-law-official-says|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 24, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116200451/http://www.allvoices.com/news/5904565-ads-attacking-judicial-candidate-violated-state-disclosure-law-official-says|archive-date=January 16, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> VanderSloot donated $19,000 to the PAC Idaho Citizens for Justice<ref name="ICFJ">{{Cite news|title=Idaho Citizens for Justice: Campaign Financial Disclosure Report|url=http://media.spokesman.com/documents/2010/05/IdahoCitizensforJustice.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 24, 2012}}</ref> and financed the PAC Citizens for Commonsense Solutions.<ref name="CCS">{{Cite news|title=Citizens for Commonsense Solutions: Campaign Financial Disclosure Report|url=http://media.spokesman.com/documents/2010/05/Commonsense.pdf|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 24, 2012}}</ref> Idaho Secretary of State ] announced that the PACs were fined $1,900 collectively for failing to appoint a certified treasurer prior to accepting contributions from VanderSloot and for failing to disclose large expenditures for its ads before the election, as required by law.<ref name="KTVB" /><ref name="Russel2" /> | ||
===LGBT issues=== | ===LGBT issues=== | ||
⚫ | In 1999, VanderSloot sponsored billboards around Idaho asking "Should public television promote the homosexual lifestyle to your children? Think about it!"<ref name="Maddow1" /> in reference to '']'', a 1999 PBS documentary exploring how four schools dealt with homosexuality.<ref name="Berman" /> VanderSloot's wife Belinda donated $100,000 to the Proposition 8 initiative to rescind gay marriage in California,<ref name="Murphy" /><ref name="Greenwald" /><ref name="hrc">{{Cite web|last=Ring|first=Trudy|url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/2012/03/10/hrc-romney-ditch-antilgbt-finance-chair|title=HRC to Romney: Ditch Anti-LGBT Finance Chair|publisher=Advocate.com|access-date=August 1, 2017|date=March 10, 2012}}</ref><ref name="LATProp8">{{cite news|title=Proposition 8: Who gave in the gay marriage battle?|url=http://projects.latimes.com/prop8/donation/6903/|access-date=December 19, 2012|newspaper=]}}</ref><ref name="VSresponds1" /> and volunteers used Melaleuca's call center after hours to persuade California voters to support the measure.<ref name="Ring1">{{Cite news|last=Ring|first=Ray|title=Prophets and Politics|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/prophets-and-politics/Content?oid=1012875|access-date=September 27, 2012|newspaper=]|date=October 22, 2008}}</ref> | ||
VanderSloot's stances on certain issues{{howmany|date=December 2012}} of interest to the gay community have drawn criticism from journalists, commentators, and gay-rights advocates.<ref name=motherjones/><ref name=Salon/><ref name=Maddow050512/><ref name=Maddow1/><ref name=Miller/><ref name=hrc/><ref name=LGBTW/><ref name=Prentice2>{{Cite news|last=Prentice|first=George|title=LDS Businessman VanderSloot: 'I Have Many Gay Friends'|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2012/02/22/lds-businessman-vandersloot-i-have-many-gay-friends|accessdate=October 7, 2012|newspaper=]|date=February 22, 2012}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | In 2006, VanderSloot took out two full-page advertisements in the Idaho Falls '']''<ref name="TCP">{{Cite news|last=VanderSloot|first=Frank|title=Responsible Journalism or Misleading Propaganda?|url=http://media.salon.com/media/pdf/2005_0605_ResponsibleJournalism.pdf|access-date=September 9, 2012|newspaper=The Community Page}}</ref><ref name="TCP2">{{Cite news|last=Melaleuca, Inc.|title=Post Register Attacks the Scouts Again|url=http://www.communitypagenews.com/pdfs/2006_0507_AttacksTheScoutsAgain.pdf|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=The Community Page|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912205533/http://www.communitypagenews.com/pdfs/2006_0507_AttacksTheScoutsAgain.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> criticizing a series of investigative articles<ref name="PostRegister1">{{Cite news|last=Zuckerman|first=Peter|title=Scout's Honor|url=http://www.postregister.com/scouts_honor/|access-date=September 9, 2012|newspaper=]}}</ref><ref name="PBSexpose">{{Cite news|title=Exposé: America's Investigative Reports – In a Small Town|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/expose/expose_2007/episode215/index.html|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=PBS}}</ref> by journalist ] in the ''Post Register'' concerning incidents of child molestation by a ] director in the Grand Teton Council.<ref name="Empey">{{Cite news|last=Zuckerman|first=Peter|title=More Pedophile Cases Emerge With Scout Camp Connections|url=http://www.postregister.com/scouts_honor/part11.php|access-date=October 5, 2012|newspaper=]|date=July 3, 2005}}</ref> The advertisements caused media controversy for allegedly ] Zuckerman,<ref name="Popkey" /><ref name="Cockerham">{{Cite news|last=Cockerham|first=Sean|title=Idaho businessman VanderSloot says Obama is smearing him|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/05/18/2121759/idaho-businessman-says-obama-is.html|access-date=September 12, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 18, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Maddow1">{{Cite news|title=Wealthy Romney fundraiser apologizes for gay reporter's 'personal pain'|url=http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-rachel-maddow-show/47302840#47302840|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507080235/http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-rachel-maddow-show/47302840#47302840|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2012|access-date=September 12, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Miller">{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Dean|url=http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reportsitem.aspx?id=100382|title=A Local Newspaper Endures a Stormy Backlash|publisher=Nieman Reports|access-date=May 17, 2012}}</ref> drawing criticism from television political commentator ],<ref name="LGBTW">{{cite news|title=Rachel Maddow slams Romney campaign chairman for outing gay reporter|url=http://lgbtweekly.com/2012/05/07/rachel-maddow-slams-romney-campaign-chairman-for-outing-gay-reporter/|access-date=October 6, 2012|newspaper=LGBT weekly|date=May 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807092732/http://lgbtweekly.com/2012/05/07/rachel-maddow-slams-romney-campaign-chairman-for-outing-gay-reporter/|archive-date=August 7, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ] in Salon magazine,<ref name="Greenwald" /> the editorial page of the '']'',<ref name="BWouting">{{cite news|title=Best Multiple Personalities 2012: Frank VanderSloot|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/best-multiple-personalities-2012/BestOf?oid=2735331|access-date=October 6, 2012|newspaper=]}}</ref> ''Post Register'' editor Dean Miller,<ref name="Miller" /> and Zuckerman himself.<ref name="ZBlog">{{Cite news|last=Zuckerman|first=Peter|title=VanderSloot Saga continues|url=http://www.authorpeterzuckerman.com/blog.htm?post=854939|access-date=October 6, 2012|newspaper=Peter Zuckerman's Blog|date=May 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607024642/http://www.authorpeterzuckerman.com/blog.htm?post=854939|archive-date=June 7, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | In 1999 VanderSloot sponsored billboards around Idaho asking "Should public television promote the homosexual lifestyle to your children? Think about it! |
||
The first advertisement stated that Zuckerman had "declared to the public that he is a homosexual" in an article for Point South, and that the local community and radio station had been "speculating" that Zuckerman's sexual orientation may have motivated him "to attack the scouts and the LDS Church" because of the Scouts' ban on gay scout leaders and the Church's opposition to gay marriage.<ref name="TCP" /><ref name="HRC2">{{Cite news|title=HRC Calls on Romney Campaign to Fire Virulently Anti-Gay National Finance Chair|url=http://www.hrc.org/press-releases/entry/hrc-calls-on-romney-campaign-to-fire-virulently-anti-gay-national-finance-c|access-date=October 4, 2012|newspaper=]|date=March 8, 2012}}</ref> The advertisement stated that "it would be very unfair for anyone to conclude that is what is behind Zuckerman's motives"; an analysis by Glenn Greenwald in Salon asserted that "the ad absurdly sought to repudiate the very 'speculation' about Zuckerman which it had just amplified."<ref name="Greenwald" /> A second advertisement suggested that Zuckerman, as a "gay rights advocate" and "homosexual reporter," had "a personal ax to grind" because of the Scouts' ban on gay scout leaders.<ref name="TCP2" /> | |||
⚫ | In 2006, VanderSloot |
||
VanderSloot denied that he had outed Zuckerman, saying that he had attempted to defend Zuckerman's motives, and repeating that Zuckerman had previously publicly disclosed his sexual orientation, which was already being discussed in the local community.<ref name="VSresponds1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.localnews8.com/news/30512994/detail.html |title=Marissa Bodnar, "VanderSloot Responds to Allegations of Threatening Media," KIFI Local News 8, posted February 21, 2012; updated March 1, 2012, screen 1 |access-date=May 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521151844/http://www.localnews8.com/news/30512994/detail.html |archive-date=May 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Post Register'' editor Dean Miller stated that Zuckerman's sexual orientation had been known only by Zuckerman's family and a few of his close friends and colleagues,<ref name="Miller" /> and Zuckerman himself also disputed VanderSloot's contention that the advertisements did not constitute an outing.<ref name="Maddow1" /> | |||
Part of another advertisement said that: | |||
<blockquote>One strange aspect of the original story, last year, was that the Post Register had assigned a gay-rights advocate, Peter Zuckerman, to be the ‘investigative reporter’ on the | |||
VanderSloot stated in 2012 that "gay people should have the same freedoms and rights as any other individual"<ref name="VSresponds2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.localnews8.com/news/VanderSloot-Responds-To-Allegations-Of-Threatening-Media/-/308662/14519370/-/item/1/-/k85mcnz/-/index.html |title=Marissa Bodnar, "VanderSloot Responds to Allegations of Threatening Media," KIFI Local News 8, posted February 21, 2012; updated March 1, 2012, screen 2 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130072737/http://www.localnews8.com/news/VanderSloot-Responds-To-Allegations-Of-Threatening-Media/-/308662/14519370/-/item/1/-/k85mcnz/-/index.html |archive-date=November 30, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 2013 that he supports equal rights for gay people but believes that the definition of marriage is a union between a man and a woman.<ref name="Kyle1">{{cite news|last=Kyle|first=Zach|title=Magazine says it stands by its coverage of Idaho's VanderSloot, who is suing for defamation|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/01/31/2432843/vandersloot-sues-to-restore-his.html#disqus_thread#storylink=cpy|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130426151709/http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/01/31/2432843/vandersloot-sues-to-restore-his.html%23disqus_thread%23storylink=cpy|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2013|access-date=February 14, 2013|newspaper=]|date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> | |||
story. There is nothing wrong with having homosexual reporters, but since the Boy Scouts’ policy of not allowing homosexual men to be scout leaders has produced so much anger against the scouts from the homosexual community, it seems that if the ''Post Register'' had wanted a fair and balanced story on the Boy Scouts, they would have assigned a reporter who did not have a personal ax to grind.<ref name=TCP2/></blockquote> | |||
===Legal action=== | |||
Various sources{{howmany|date=December 2012}} said that VanderSloot's advertisement ] Zuckerman, including television host and political commentator ]<ref name=LGBTW>{{cite news|title=Rachel Maddow slams Romney campaign chairman for outing gay reporter|url=http://lgbtweekly.com/2012/05/07/rachel-maddow-slams-romney-campaign-chairman-for-outing-gay-reporter/|accessdate=October 6, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 7, 2012}}</ref> Glenn Greenwald in ''Salon'' magazine,<ref name=Salon/> the editorial page of the ''Boise Weekly,''<ref name=BWouting>{{cite news|title=Best Multiple Personalities 2012: Frank VanderSloot|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/best-multiple-personalities-2012/BestOf?oid=2735331|accessdate=October 6, 2012|newspaper=]}}</ref> ''Post Register'' editor Dean Miller<ref name=Miller /> and Zuckerman.<ref name=ZBlog>{{Cite news|last=Zuckerman|first=Peter|title=VanderSloot Saga continues|url=http://www.authorpeterzuckerman.com/blog.htm?post=854939|accessdate=October 6, 2012|newspaper=Peter Zuckerman's Blog|date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> VanderSloot denied the charge, saying that had attempted to defend Zuckerman's motives, that Zuckerman had already posted his sexual orientation on a public website, and that a local radio show and the community had been discussing the fact;<ref name=VSresponds1></ref> Post Register editor Dean Miller reported that Zuckerman's sexual orientation had been known only by Zuckerman's family and a few of his close friends and colleagues,<ref name=Miller/> and in a May 2012 TV interview, Zuckerman disputed VanderSloot’s contention that Vandersloot's actions did not constitute outing.<ref name=Maddow1/> | |||
On February 17, 2012, columnist ] of '']'' wrote that, over time, VanderSloot had threatened to bring what Greenwald termed "'patently frivolous' lawsuits against his political critics" and had made threats of "expensive defamation actions" against sources (including ''Forbes'', ], and ''Salon'') who had published critical views of his public statements regarding gay rights and Melaleuca's business practices; he had previously made similar demands of local political blogs in Idaho.<ref name="Greenwald" /><ref name="Frates">{{cite news|last=Frates|first=Chris|title=Will Romney's Finance Co-Chair Become a Liability|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/influencealley/2012/02/will-romney-s-finance-co-chair-become-a-liability--27|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216122049/http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/influencealley/2012/02/will-romney-s-finance-co-chair-become-a-liability--27|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 16, 2013|access-date=January 21, 2013|newspaper=]|date=February 27, 2012}}</ref> On her show of September 28, 2012, Rachel Maddow stated that VanderSloot and his attorneys requested that she remove from Web archives a show in which she reported and commented on his alleged outing of Zuckerman; she said that he also objected when she publicized that request on her show.<ref name="Maddow050512">{{Cite episode |title=Wealthy Romney fundraiser apologizes for gay reporter's 'personal pain' |series=] |access-date=September 28, 2012|network=]|date=September 28, 2012 |transcript=Transcript |url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show }}</ref> | |||
In January 2013, VanderSloot filed a defamation lawsuit against ''Mother Jones'' magazine and two of its employees, seeking nearly $75,000 in damages, alleging that the magazine depicted him as a "gay-basher" in a February 2012 article titled "Pyramid-like Company Ponies Up $1 Million for Mitt Romney" and in two ] promoting the article.<ref name="VorheesSlate">{{cite news|last=Voorhees|first=Josh|title=Former Romney Co-Chair Is Suing Mother Jones, but Not For The Reason You Might Guess|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/01/31/frank_vandersloot_mother_jones_lawsuit_former_mitt_romney_co_chair_sues.html|access-date=March 5, 2013|newspaper=]|date=January 31, 2013}}</ref><ref name="HuffPoMJ">{{cite news|title=Frank VanderSloot: Mother Jones Wrongly Depicted Me As Romney's 'Gay-Bashing Buddy'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/frank-vandersloot-mother-jones_n_2592906.html|access-date=March 5, 2013|newspaper=]|date=January 31, 2013}}</ref><ref name="FoxMJ">{{cite news|title=Frank VanderSloot sues Mother Jones magazine, says story wrongly depicted him as a 'gay-basher'|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/frank-vandersloot-sues-mother-jones-magazine-says-story-wrongly-depicted-him-as-gay-basher|access-date=March 5, 2013|newspaper=]|date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> In October 2015, the court granted ] in favor of the defendants, finding that "all of the statements at issue are non-actionable truth or substantial truth",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksl.com/?sid=36850857|title=Judge dismisses businessman's lawsuit against Mother Jones {{!}} KSL.com|access-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last = Hagadone| first = Zach | title = ''Mother Jones'' Prevails in Defamation Suit Filed by Idaho Billionaire Frank VanderSloot| newspaper = ]| location = ]| date = October 7, 2015 | url = http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/mother-jones-prevails-in-defamation-suit-filed-by-idaho-billionaire-frank-vandersloot/Content?oid=3619193| access-date = October 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name=MJlawsuit>{{cite magazine|last1=Bauerlein|first1=Monika|last2=Jeffery|first2=Clara|title=We were sued by a billionaire political donor. Here's what happened|url=https://www.motherjones.com/media/2015/10/mother-jones-vandersloot-melaleuca-lawsuit|access-date=November 27, 2015|magazine=]|date=October 8, 2015}}</ref> although the judge also criticized the magazine's reporting in the article as "non-objective" and "biased."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/10/vandersloot-claims-vindication-in-mother-jones-lawsuit/|title=VanderSloot Vindicated in Mother Jones lawsuit – East Idaho News|date=October 7, 2015|access-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://idahostatejournal.com/members/vandersloot-starts-fund-to-defend-conservatives-against-defamation/article_fff2b2d3-f39b-594e-910b-e7cffcdc79ea.html|title=VanderSloot starts fund to defend conservatives against defamation|last=Wire Reports|first=Journal staff|date=October 8, 2015|website=Idaho State Journal|publisher=Idaho State Journal|access-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.postregister.com/articles/news-daily-email-todays-headlines/2015/10/06/judge-tosses-vandersloot-suit-against-mother#|title=Judge tosses VanderSloot suit against Mother Jones|date=October 7, 2015|access-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> | |||
In 2012, VanderSloot stated that "gay people should have the same freedoms and rights as any other individual."<ref name=VSresponds2></ref> | |||
In May 2014, VanderSloot filed a defamation lawsuit against former ''Idaho Falls Post-Register'' reporter Peter Zuckerman, alleging that he had "knowingly and maliciously publishing false statements depicting VanderSloot in national media as a gay-basher."<ref name="Sunderland2">{{cite news|last1=Sunderland|first1=Nate|title=VanderSloot sues former reporter for defamation|url=http://www.postregister.com/articles/news-todays-headlines/2014/05/13/vandersloot-sues-former-reporter-defamation|access-date=August 11, 2014|publisher=]|date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> The case settled in October 2015 after Zuckerman admitted in a sworn affidavit that statements he made about VanderSloot were untrue.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Businessman settles defamation suit with former reporter|url = http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4ba57e6335e64554a7f7d942bca5792f/businessman-settles-defamation-suit-former-reporter|website = The Big Story}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = VanderSloot drops lawsuit after reporter admits false statements – East Idaho News|url = http://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/10/vandersloot-drops-lawsuit-after-reporter-admits-false-statements|website = East Idaho News| date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = VanderSloot prevails in defamation settlement {{!}} Post Register|url = http://www.postregister.com/articles/news-daily-email-todays-headlines/2015/10/20/vandersloot-prevails-defamation-settlement|website = www.postregister.com|access-date = December 24, 2015}}</ref> | |||
===Defamation lawsuit threats=== | |||
According to ] and the ] '']'', VanderSloot has threatened ] lawsuits, copyright infringement and similar ] against critics and outlets that have published critical views, including Maddow, '']'' magazine, lawyer ], '']'' magazine, and Idaho journalist Jody May-Chang.<ref name=Salon>{{Cite news|last=Greenwald|first=Glenn|title=Billionaire Romney donor uses threats to silence critics|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/02/17/billionaire_romney_donor_uses_threats_to_silence_critics/|accessdate=September 16, 2012|newspaper=]|date=February 17, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Maddow050512>{{Cite news|title=|url=http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-rachel-maddow-show/47302840#47302840|accessdate=September 28, 2012|newspaper=]|date=May 15, 2012}}</ref> | |||
==Philanthropy== | ==Philanthropy== | ||
⚫ | In 2003, VanderSloot founded the Melaleuca Foundation, a private ] non-profit corporation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Articles of Incorporation (Non-profit)|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corpimage/%5C12312003%5CCORPARTI03365075714.tif|publisher=State of Idaho|access-date=November 1, 2012|pages=1|date=December 26, 2003}}</ref> The Melaleuca Foundation has been a financial contributor to the Santa Lucia Children's Home (Hogar Santa Lucia), an ] in ], ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Special Cause: The Santa Lucia Children's Home|url=http://www.melaleucafoundation.org/Orphanage.aspx|publisher=Melaleuca|access-date=May 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516014745/http://www.melaleucafoundation.org/orphanage.aspx|archive-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2005, VanderSloot flew to Baton Rouge to deliver supplies to shelters after Hurricane Katrina and helped three displaced families with transportation issues.<ref name="Evans">Evans, Matthew. {{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''The Post Register''. Idaho Falls. September 7, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2012 via Lexis Nexis.</ref> In 2007, VanderSloot's company Melaleuca received the ] Others Award for helping with relief efforts following ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Salvation Army 'The Others Award' Recipients, Melaleuca|url=http://www.melaleucaawards.com/2007-others-award-salvation-army.php|publisher=Melaleuca}}</ref> | ||
Each year since 1992, Melaleuca has organized the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, in Idaho Falls.<ref name=BigBang>{{Cite news|last=Menser|first=Paul|title=Bigger bang - Melaleuca chief plans even bigger fireworks show|accessdate=October 8, 2012|newspaper=Idaho Falls Post Register|location=Idaho Falls|date=May 25, 2000|page=A1}}</ref> The event is the largest ] fireworks display west of the Mississippi.<ref name=Blowout>{{Cite news|last=Corbin|first=Clark|title=100,000 expected for July 4 blowout|accessdate=October 8, 2012|newspaper=Idaho Falls Post Register|date=July 3, 2012|page=A1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wood|first=Daniel|title=After years of muted July 4ths, more pyrotechnics in the works ; In a surge of patriotism, towns throw costs to the wind|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0702/p02s02-ussc.html|accessdate=November 22, 2012|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=July 2, 2004|page=02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=VanderSloot throws down gauntlet over show|accessdate=November 22, 2012|newspaper=Associated Press Newswires|date=July 4, 2003}}</ref> VanderSloot put on the largest fireworks show in Minnesota history in 2002.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Mary Lynn|title=In St. Paul, Memorial Day fireworks to remember|accessdate=November 22, 2012|newspaper=Star-Tribune Newspaper of the Twin Cities|date=May 1, 2002|page=7B}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Harlow|first=Tim|title=Lighting up the Sky ; A Memorial Day event paying tribute to America's veterans and their families includes the largest fireworks show ever in Minnesota|accessdate=November 25, 2012|newspaper=Star-Tribune Newspaper of the Twin Cities|date=May 24, 2002|page=7E}}</ref> | |||
In February 2012, VanderSloot Farms purchased a property from the ] for $121,000.<ref name="VanDerSlootFarms">{{Cite web |url=http://www.localnews8.com/news/VanderSloot-Farms-Buys-New-Sweden-School-Property/-/308662/14520188/-/pwwto0/-/index.html |title=Dave Plourd, "VanderSloot Farms Buys New Sweden School Property," LocalNews8, February 9, 2012 |access-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012083054/http://www.localnews8.com/news/VanderSloot-Farms-Buys-New-Sweden-School-Property/-/308662/14520188/-/pwwto0/-/index.html |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> VanderSloot financed renovations of a building on the site, the ], which had been listed on the ], and donated the entire parcel to the American Heritage Charter School.<ref name="CeremonyCaps" /> Inaugurated in August 2013,<ref name="CeremonyCaps">{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastidahonews.com/2013/08/ceremony-caps-renovation-of-new-sweden-school/|title=Ceremony Caps Renovation of New Sweden School|date=August 30, 2013|website=East Idaho News}}</ref> the charter school is modeled after the ] in Gooding, Idaho, and bases its curriculum on the Core Knowledge Program established by ].<ref name=Charter3>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/public-school-in-rural-idaho-touts-patriotic-focus|title="Public School in Rural Idaho Touts Patriotic Focus," Associated Press at Fox News, June 1, 2012}}</ref><ref name="VanderSloot-Funded">{{Cite web|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2012/08/09/vandersloot-funded-charter-school-gets-ok-from-state-commission|title=George Prentice, "VanderSloot-Funded Charter School Gets OK From State Commission," ''Boise Weekly,'' August 9, 2012|access-date=September 22, 2012|archive-date=September 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913051658/http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2012/08/09/vandersloot-funded-charter-school-gets-ok-from-state-commission|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | In 2003, VanderSloot founded the Melaleuca Foundation, a private ] non-profit corporation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Articles of Incorporation (Non-profit)|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corpimage/%5C12312003%5CCORPARTI03365075714.tif|publisher=State of Idaho| |
||
In 2012, it was announced that VanderSloot would be funding, via the VanderSloot Foundation,<ref name=Guidestar>{{Cite news|title=Frank L Vandersloot Foundation Inc|url=http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/45-0502567/frank-l-vandersloot-foundation.aspx|accessdate=September 22, 2012|newspaper=]}}</ref> the new American Heritage Charter School, a K-12 ] scheduled to open in Idaho Falls in 2013.<ref name=Charter1>{{Cite news|last=Prentice|first=George|title=VanderSloot-Funded Charter School Gets OK From State Commission|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2012/08/09/vandersloot-funded-charter-school-gets-ok-from-state-commission|accessdate=September 22, 2012|newspaper=]|date=August 9, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Charter2></ref><ref name=Charter3></ref> | |||
The school, described as “a patriotic choice for parents” with a focus on “individual freedoms and free market economics”, is modeled after the ] in Gooding Idaho, and bases its curriculum on the Core Knowledge Program established by ]. | |||
==Awards== | ==Awards== | ||
In 1998, VanderSloot received the Idaho Business Leader of the Year award from ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Newbold|first=Cassey|title=Premier |
In 1998, VanderSloot received the Idaho Business Leader of the Year award from ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Newbold|first=Cassey|title=Premier Technology's Sayer named Idaho Business Leader of the Year|url=http://www2.isu.edu/headlines/?p=1615|work=ISU Headlines|publisher=Idaho State University|access-date=November 22, 2012|date=January 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123035402/http://www2.isu.edu/headlines/?p=1615|archive-date=January 23, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2001, he was awarded the ] for the U.S. Northwestern region.<ref name="SandpointPlasterInterview">Plaster, Billie Jean. Sandpoint Magazine. Winter 2004.</ref><ref name="Puget">{{Cite journal|last=Ferrendelli|first=Betta|title=ERNST & YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: Melaleuca thrives on well-oiled direct-marketing plan|journal=Puget Sound Business Journal|date=June 15, 2001|volume=22|issue=6|pages=30|quote=Under VanderSloot's direction, the company has thrived with its Consumer Direct Marketing plan, which eliminates the middleman – no retailer, no distributor, no wholesale – reducing marketing and distribution costs. Products are shipped from Melaleuca directly to the end consumer.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=VanderSloot named entrepreneur of the year|newspaper=Idaho Falls Post Register|date=June 16, 2001}}</ref> He was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame in 2007<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Southeast Idahoans Inducted into Idaho's Hall of Fame; Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot and Idaho National Labs Director John Grossenbacher Receive Recognition|newspaper=Business Wire|date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Melaleuca; Two Southeast Idahoans Inducted into Idaho's Hall of Fame|journal=Pharma Investments, Ventures & Law Weekly|date=November 4, 2007|issue=2125}}</ref> and received the Idaho Hometown Hero medal in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Frank VanderSloot Idaho Hometown Hero Medalist 2011|url=http://www.idahohometownhero.org/index.php/medalists/medalist-profiles/77-vandersloot-frank|publisher=Idaho Hometown Heroes|access-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520021643/http://www.idahohometownhero.org/index.php/medalists/medalist-profiles/77-vandersloot-frank|archive-date=20 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|title=Crapo to Receive 'Hometown Hero' Medal; Note Teen Dating Violence Efforts|url=https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/crapo-to-receive-hometown-hero-medal-note-teen-dating-violence-efforts|date=August 23, 2011}}</ref> VanderSloot received the ] and became a lifetime member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2015.<ref> Idaho Statesman. December 7, 2014</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213023829/http://biz.idahostatejournal.com/?p=11833 |date=December 13, 2014 }} Business Journal from the Idaho State Journal. December 7, 2014</ref> He was named fifth on the list of "100 Influential Idahoans of 2015" by the Ridenbaugh Press.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Moseley|first1=Kate|title=Nampa mayor, Superintendent Ybarra named among most influential|url=http://www.idahopress.com/members/nampa-mayor-superintendent-ybarra-named-among-most-influential/article_eba166c2-97ad-11e4-b8cf-63f21fb6d3b7.html|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=Idaho Press-Tribune|date=January 9, 2015}}</ref> VanderSloot was presented the Patriot Award in 2015 by the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for his support of soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frank VanderSloot and Paul Conley Honored by Department of Defense for Patriotic Support|url=http://www.esgr.mil/News-Events/ESGR-In-The-News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4569/Frank-VanderSloot-and-Paul-Conley-Honored-by-Department-of-Defense-for-Patriotic-Support.aspx|website=ESGR|access-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=LOCAL SOLDIER HONORS MELALEUCA CEO DURING EMOTIONAL CEREMONY|url=http://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/06/iona-army-reservist-honors-melaleuca-ceo/|access-date=September 25, 2015|work=East Idaho News|date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> | ||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
⚫ | VanderSloot resides in ], with his wife, Belinda VanderSloot (née Boyack),<ref name="Boyock">{{cite news|title=Brian VanderSloot Obituary|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postregister/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=154499340#fbLoggedOut|access-date=February 19, 2013|newspaper=]|date=November 6, 2011}}</ref> whom he married in 1995.<ref name="SandpointPlasterInterview" /> Together they have fourteen children:<ref name="SandpointPlasterInterview" /> six from Frank VanderSloot's two prior marriages, and eight from Belinda VanderSloot's first marriage.<ref name="Popkey" /> VanderSloot was previously married to Kathleen VanderSloot (née Zundel) and to Vivian VanderSloot, his second wife.<ref name="ISJ1">{{Cite news|last=O'Donnell|first=Michael H|title=Tragedy draws family together|url=http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/article_70ebe600-ad4f-11e1-ba47-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm|access-date=September 23, 2012|newspaper=]}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | ==References== | ||
⚫ | VanderSloot |
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⚫ | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{Current U.S. Richest People}} | |||
==See also== | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
* ]— Melaleuca was found by a U.S. federal court not to be an "Internet access provider". | |||
⚫ | ==References== | ||
⚫ | {{Reflist |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American businessman | |||
| DATE OF BIRTH = August 14, 1948 | |||
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Latest revision as of 01:39, 11 November 2024
American businessman
Frank VanderSloot | |
---|---|
Born | Frank Leonard VanderSloot (1948-08-14) August 14, 1948 (age 76) Billings, Montana |
Nationality | American |
Education | Bachelor of Business Administration |
Alma mater | Ricks College and Brigham Young University |
Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor, and CEO |
Known for | former CEO of Melaleuca, Inc. |
Board member of | United States Chamber of Commerce |
Spouse(s) | Belinda VanderSloot (married 1995–present) Vivian VanderSloot (divorced) Kathleen VanderSloot (divorced) |
Parent(s) | Peter Francis (Frank) VanderSloot Margaret May Christensen Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot |
Frank Leonard VanderSloot (born August 14, 1948) is an American entrepreneur, radio network owner, rancher, and political campaign financier. He is the founder and former chief executive officer of Melaleuca, Inc. His other business interests include the Riverbend Ranch and Riverbend Communications. VanderSloot also serves on the board of directors and executive board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In 2011, The Land Report listed him as the nation's 92nd largest landowner. In 2017, Forbes listed VanderSloot as the richest person in Idaho and the 302nd wealthiest American with a net worth of $2.7 billion.
VanderSloot served as a national finance co-chair for Mitt Romney's presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012. He contributed $1.1 million and helped to raise between $2 million and $5 million for Romney's 2012 campaign. He is a significant financial contributor to Republican presidential candidates and Idaho political campaigns. He has also paid for advertising in opposition to several Idaho Democratic political candidates. VanderSloot is the primary financier of the American Heritage Charter School in Idaho Falls.
Early life and education
VanderSloot was born on August 14, 1948, to Peter Francis (Frank) VanderSloot (1913–1982) and Margaret May Christensen Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot (1915–2004). The family lived in Sheridan, Wyoming, and Hardin, Montana, before moving in 1949 to Cocolalla, Idaho, where they lived on a ranch. The elder VanderSloot worked as a painter for the Northern Pacific Railway. Frank VanderSloot graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1966. At the age of 16, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and later studied at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he worked and lived as a cleaner at a laundromat. After two semesters, he left school to serve a two-and-a-half-year LDS Mission in the Netherlands. Following his mission, he earned an associate's degree in business at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. He then returned to Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1972.
Career
ADP and Cox
After graduating from college, VanderSloot worked for 91⁄2 years at Automatic Data Processing in three cities. He first worked in sales and marketing before moving to general management and operations. He left ADP to work as regional vice president at Cox Communications in Vancouver, Washington.
Oil of Melaleuca, Inc
In September 1985, VanderSloot's brother-in-law Roger Ball and Roger's brother Allen Ball offered VanderSloot the helm of Oil of Melaleuca, Inc., a startup multi-level marketing business based in Idaho Falls. VanderSloot said "the company was a mess" when he arrived. According to Dan Popkey, "A supposed 80 percent corner on the tea tree market turned out to be 5 percent. The FDA came knocking, because salespeople were exaggerating medical claims. A multilevel model that lured people to buy $5,000 in inventory offended VanderSloot's sense of fairness." Oil of Melaleuca failed to achieve significant market share, and the partners shut down the company later in 1985. Half the legacy distributors from Oil of Melaleuca left after Melaleuca, Inc., was formed (below).
Melaleuca, Inc
In 1985, VanderSloot founded the multi-level marketing company Melaleuca Inc, which sells nutritional supplements, cleaning supplies, and personal-care products, and he has been president and chief executive officer ever since. Melaleuca operates internationally, with U.S. operations centered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Knoxville, Tennessee. Customers buy directly from Melaleuca's website or retail locations and "independent marketing executives" receive commissions from Melaleuca for each purchase made by people they refer and by people their customers refer, through seven "referral generations". The company refers to this arrangement as "Consumer Direct Marketing", a term it has trademarked.
According to a 2004 article by Phyllis Berman, Melaleuca's sales flattened in 1998, and VanderSloot "discovered that some senior directors were living off their residuals and doing little in the way of recruitment." This resulted in "a new policy that reduced payments to those who didn't either bring in new converts or help others do so." The company has large international operations, and 25 percent of its revenue comes from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Melaleuca reported gross sales in excess of one billion dollars in 2011 and $1.13 billion in 2012. In Idaho Falls, Melaleuca has a local workforce of about 2,000 employees.
VanderSloot says that the company has a "business model for those people who want to supplement their income." However, according to the US Federal Trade Commission study on multi-level marketing companies, fewer than 0.29% of Melaleuca distributors make any profit and more than 99% of distributors lost money. The FTC report goes on to note that the odds of winning from a single spin of the wheel in a game of roulette in Las Vegas are "22 times as great as the odds of profiting after enrolling as a Melaleuca distributor".
Melaleuca is a member of the United States Direct Selling Association, a trade association that engages in public relations and political lobbying on behalf of the multi-level marketing industry. In 2008, VanderSloot began a three-year term as one of the eight members of the Direct Selling Association's board of directors. In December 2009, VanderSloot and his wife contributed $10,000 to the Direct Selling Association's political action committee (PAC).
Between 1991 and 1997, Melaleuca was investigated by Michigan regulators, the Idaho attorney general's office, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for various marketing violations. In 1991 Melaleuca received a cease-and-desist order for violating Michigan's anti–pyramid scheme laws. In 1992, Melaleuca signed a consent decree with the states of Michigan and Idaho agreeing to "not engage in the marketing and promotion of an illegal pyramid." In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent Melaleuca a warning letter for "false and misleading" claims about two of its supplements. In a paper on multi-level marketing, the FTC notes that "Melaleuca fails to disclose that approximately 99% of all participants lose money and therefore get further behind financially because of their participation". In June 2020, the FTC sent a warning letter to Melaleuca regarding false and deceptive earnings claims during the COVID-19 pandemic that were unsubstantiated and inconsistent with earlier FTC findings that less than 1% of Melaleuca distributors realize any profit with the vast majority losing money.
Other businesses
Ranching
In 1993, VanderSloot founded Riverbend Ranch, one of the largest purebred ranches and largest commercial cattle operations in the United States. The ranch received 21 awards at the Utah State Fair between 1995 and 1997. The Ranch runs a genetics and breeding program and hosted the world's largest Angus bull sale in March 2012. According to Riverbend Ranch general manager David Brown, VanderSloot established its mission as "providing ranchers in the Intermountain West with the best genetics at an affordable price." Riverbend Ranch has operations in three other states, including Fort Ranch Quarter Horses, a horse ranch in Promontory, Utah.
Natural Guardian Land Holdings
In 1994, VanderSloot created Natural Guardian Limited Partnership (doing business as Natural Guardian, LLC, as of 2011), a holding company that owns or leases approximately 1,500 acres of land in Wolverine Canyon, Bingham County, Idaho.
Broadcasting
VanderSloot owns Riverbend Communications, a group of radio stations in Eastern Idaho. He purchased the company from Bonneville Communications in 2006. Riverbend Communications operates KLCE Classy 97, KCVI Kbear 101, KTHK 105.5 The Hawk, KFTZ Z103, KEII News-Talk AM 690 – 1260, and KNBL AM 1260.
Snake River Cheese factory
In 1994, VanderSloot was approached by two dairy farmers with a plea to invest in the Snake River Cheese factory in Blackfoot, Idaho, after Kraft Foods had announced a decision to close it. Kraft had operated the plant since the early 1920s. In response, VanderSloot bought a $1 million interest in the plant, and an investment company assumed control, but the operation closed anyway within six months. VanderSloot then paid off a $2 million debt the company owed to the dairymen, staffed the plant with his own personnel and supplemented the milking herd with two thousand head of cattle. He promised that all five hundred people whose jobs depended on the plant would remain employed and leased the plant to Beatrice Cheese, a subsidiary of ConAgra. In 1999, the facility netted $278 million in sales. The next year, VanderSloot sold his interest in the company to Suprema Specialties after Beatrice broke its lease. VanderSloot again promised that employees would keep their jobs. In 2006, the factory, which by then had been renamed as the Blackfoot Cheese Company, was sold to Sartori Foods, and in 2013, the plant was purchased from Sartori by Glanbia Foods, Inc.
Paving and construction
VanderSloot was the owner of HighStone (formerly Eagle Rock Construction; RBH Gravel; VIP Construction), an Idaho Falls-based asphalt construction and maintenance company. HighStone was the prime contractor on a $421,000 state government contract to repair a stretch of Idaho State Highway 33 in Idaho Falls, and worked on a road project in Rexburg. In September 2011, HighStone merged with DePatco, a family-owned heavy construction company in St. Anthony, Idaho. The merger created eastern Idaho's largest locally owned construction company.
Net worth
VanderSloot does not publicly disclose his personal worth;' however, in 2004, Forbes magazine estimated that Melaleuca was worth $1.4 billion and that VanderSloot's share of the company (55 percent of the voting stock and 44 percent of the nonvoting stock), was worth $700 million. According to Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman, the company's value had grown to between $3.2 billion and $3.9 billion by 2011, and VanderSloot's net worth was estimated at more than $1 billion. In 2012, the Land Report listed VanderSloot as the 92nd largest landowner in the United States. In 2013, VanderSloot was listed by Business Insider as the wealthiest individual in the state of Idaho, with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. In 2017, VanderSloot was listed in the Forbes 400 as the 302nd wealthiest American with a net worth of $2.7 billion.
Public activity
United States Chamber of Commerce
VanderSloot is on the board of directors and executive board of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Taxation Task Force
In 1993, VanderSloot served on the Taxation Task Force of the White House Conference on Small Business.
Campaign financing
Mitt Romney for President
VanderSloot was one of 47 finance co-chairs for Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign and served under eight finance chairs. He also served as a finance co-chair for Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. In 2012, VanderSloot's companies contributed $1.1 million to the Restore Our Future political action committee, which was supporting Romney for President. According to VanderSloot, he raised between $2 million and $5 million for the Romney campaign.
On April 20, 2012, a website operated by Barack Obama's presidential campaign included VanderSloot on a list of eight major donors to Romney's campaign whom it described as having "questionable and troubling records on various issues." The site said VanderSloot was "litigious, combative, and a bitter foe of the gay rights movement." VanderSloot made a series of television appearances, in some of which he called for donations to Romney in protest of the list. VanderSloot accused the Obama campaign of targeting him unfairly and said that he went through "living hell" as a result. He told Fox News host Bill O'Reilly that Melaleuca had lost about two hundred customers in the first two weeks after the Obama website's reference to him; Two days later, he told the Idaho Statesman that "unbelievable" and "unexpected" national support in the intervening period was turning out to be good for business.
In July 2012, VanderSloot said he was the subject of two new federal audits, one by the Internal Revenue Service and the other by the U.S. Department of Labor. VanderSloot had not been audited in the thirty-year period before the Obama campaign listing. VanderSloot said that the timing of the audits was curious and questionable, claiming that he received notice of the IRS audit two months after he was "singled out by the Obama campaign." He noted that he did not think that the President was directly behind the audits. Ultimately, the audits found no wrongdoing but VanderSloot paid $80,000 to defend himself during the audit process.
A number of commentators expressed disapproval of the campaign's depiction of VanderSloot. Three op-eds published by the Wall Street Journal criticized the campaign's treatment of VanderSloot and other top Romney donors. The critiques, two of which were authored by Wall Street Journal contributor Kimberley Strassel, were disputed by television host Rachel Maddow, Lewiston Morning Tribune editor Marty Trillhaase, and David Shere of Media Matters for America but were supported by the editorial page of National Review and Henry Reske of Newsmax. After the election, Mitt Romney described the Obama campaign's treatment of VanderSloot as "a very dangerous and troubling development". Tom McClintock complained about VanderSloot's treatment in a speech on the floor of the United States House of Representatives in May 2013, and Marco Rubio separately made a similar statement on the floor of the Senate.
2016 Presidential Election
In June 2015, VanderSloot and his wife gave $50,000 to a political action committee (Conservative Solutions PAC) funding Florida senator Marco Rubio's campaign as the Republican Party nominee for the 2016 presidential election. VanderSloot also contributed $2,700, the maximum allowed by law, to the GOP presidential campaign of former technology executive Carly Fiorina. In November 2015, VanderSloot announced that he supported Rubio for president and that he planned to host fundraisers and bundle contributions on Rubio's behalf. In June 2016, VanderSloot said that he was ready to support Donald Trump as the "best bet" to defeat Hillary Clinton, and in September of that year Donald Trump Jr. made a private visit to VanderSloot at Melaleuca headquarters. Following the presidential election in November 2016, VanderSloot announced on Twitter that Trump was not his first, second, or third choice as a candidate but that it was "time for all of us to come together and unite behind our new president."
Idaho ballot measures
Vandersloot was the primary financial supporter of United Families Idaho Action Fund, a PAC that supported a successful anti-same-sex marriage constitutional amendment (House Joint Resolution 2) in Idaho 2006. Melaleuca was the top contributor to the PAC fund, giving $6,827 while VanderSloot and his wife contributed an additional $2,000. The amendment was struck down as unconstitutional in 2014.
VanderSloot spent $1.3 million in 2012 to sponsor television commercials and other advertising in favor of Propositions 1, 2, and 3, ballot referendums supporting education changes introduced and championed by Idaho public school supervisor Tom Luna in 2011. The three-part educational package, consisting of an eight-year $180 million program limiting teachers' collective bargaining rights, requiring online classes and mandating laptops for ninth-graders, was approved by the Idaho Legislature and was backed by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. An initiative campaign placed the approval of the laws on the ballot, and they were defeated in a statewide vote.
Idaho political and judicial campaigns
According to Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman and Roger Plothow and Marty Trillhaase of the Idaho Falls Post Register, VanderSloot supported Idaho Democrat Larry EchoHawk's 1994 gubernatorial campaign and endorsed Democrat Jackie Groves Twilegar for Idaho state controller in 2006. VanderSloot has been a major donor to Idaho Republicans, according to Popkey, who described him as the state's "most boisterous conservative financier" and by America Online's Eamon Murphy, who called him "perhaps the single most influential campaign donor" in the state of Idaho.
VanderSloot spent more than $100,000 on independent advertising on three winning judicial campaigns, two for Idaho Supreme Court and one for district judge in Bonneville County. VanderSloot and Melaleuca were financial supporters of the PAC Concerned Citizens for Family Values. The PAC ran ads targeting incumbent Idaho Supreme Court Justice Cathy Silak during her 2000 re-election campaign against challenger Daniel T. Eismann. The ads alleged that if Silak were re-elected, same-sex marriage and "partial-birth abortion" could have become legal in Idaho.
In 2002, VanderSloot and Melaleuca contributed more than $50,000 opposing the election bid of Democrat Keith Roark, a former Blaine County prosecutor, for Idaho Attorney General. The contributions included a $35,000 donation to Roark's Republican opponent, Lawrence Wasden, and a $16,500 donation to Concerned Citizens for Family Values, an organization run by VanderSloot, to pay for attack ads against Roark in Eastern Idaho. That year, VanderSloot and Melaleuca also donated $7,000 towards Republican Dirk Kempthorne's 2002 gubernatorial campaign .
In 2006, VanderSloot and his wife, Belinda, donated nearly $16,000 through the PAC Citizens for Truth and Justice, and via direct payments for ads opposing the reelection of Idaho 7th District Court Judge James Herndon, a Democrat, in a three-way race against challengers Darren Simpson and DaLon Esplin. Ads criticizing Herndon also aired on radio stations run by Riverbend Communications, owned by VanderSloot and his wife.
In 2010, VanderSloot funded two PACs that launched last-minute ads against Idaho 2nd District Judge John Bradbury, a Democrat, during his electoral run for state Supreme Court against Republican incumbent Justice Roger Burdick. VanderSloot donated $19,000 to the PAC Idaho Citizens for Justice and financed the PAC Citizens for Commonsense Solutions. Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa announced that the PACs were fined $1,900 collectively for failing to appoint a certified treasurer prior to accepting contributions from VanderSloot and for failing to disclose large expenditures for its ads before the election, as required by law.
LGBT issues
In 1999, VanderSloot sponsored billboards around Idaho asking "Should public television promote the homosexual lifestyle to your children? Think about it!" in reference to It's Elementary, a 1999 PBS documentary exploring how four schools dealt with homosexuality. VanderSloot's wife Belinda donated $100,000 to the Proposition 8 initiative to rescind gay marriage in California, and volunteers used Melaleuca's call center after hours to persuade California voters to support the measure.
In 2006, VanderSloot took out two full-page advertisements in the Idaho Falls Post Register criticizing a series of investigative articles by journalist Peter Zuckerman in the Post Register concerning incidents of child molestation by a Boy Scout director in the Grand Teton Council. The advertisements caused media controversy for allegedly outing Zuckerman, drawing criticism from television political commentator Rachel Maddow, Glenn Greenwald in Salon magazine, the editorial page of the Boise Weekly, Post Register editor Dean Miller, and Zuckerman himself.
The first advertisement stated that Zuckerman had "declared to the public that he is a homosexual" in an article for Point South, and that the local community and radio station had been "speculating" that Zuckerman's sexual orientation may have motivated him "to attack the scouts and the LDS Church" because of the Scouts' ban on gay scout leaders and the Church's opposition to gay marriage. The advertisement stated that "it would be very unfair for anyone to conclude that is what is behind Zuckerman's motives"; an analysis by Glenn Greenwald in Salon asserted that "the ad absurdly sought to repudiate the very 'speculation' about Zuckerman which it had just amplified." A second advertisement suggested that Zuckerman, as a "gay rights advocate" and "homosexual reporter," had "a personal ax to grind" because of the Scouts' ban on gay scout leaders.
VanderSloot denied that he had outed Zuckerman, saying that he had attempted to defend Zuckerman's motives, and repeating that Zuckerman had previously publicly disclosed his sexual orientation, which was already being discussed in the local community. Post Register editor Dean Miller stated that Zuckerman's sexual orientation had been known only by Zuckerman's family and a few of his close friends and colleagues, and Zuckerman himself also disputed VanderSloot's contention that the advertisements did not constitute an outing.
VanderSloot stated in 2012 that "gay people should have the same freedoms and rights as any other individual" and in 2013 that he supports equal rights for gay people but believes that the definition of marriage is a union between a man and a woman.
Legal action
On February 17, 2012, columnist Glenn Greenwald of Salon wrote that, over time, VanderSloot had threatened to bring what Greenwald termed "'patently frivolous' lawsuits against his political critics" and had made threats of "expensive defamation actions" against sources (including Forbes, Mother Jones magazine, and Salon) who had published critical views of his public statements regarding gay rights and Melaleuca's business practices; he had previously made similar demands of local political blogs in Idaho. On her show of September 28, 2012, Rachel Maddow stated that VanderSloot and his attorneys requested that she remove from Web archives a show in which she reported and commented on his alleged outing of Zuckerman; she said that he also objected when she publicized that request on her show.
In January 2013, VanderSloot filed a defamation lawsuit against Mother Jones magazine and two of its employees, seeking nearly $75,000 in damages, alleging that the magazine depicted him as a "gay-basher" in a February 2012 article titled "Pyramid-like Company Ponies Up $1 Million for Mitt Romney" and in two tweets promoting the article. In October 2015, the court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants, finding that "all of the statements at issue are non-actionable truth or substantial truth", although the judge also criticized the magazine's reporting in the article as "non-objective" and "biased."
In May 2014, VanderSloot filed a defamation lawsuit against former Idaho Falls Post-Register reporter Peter Zuckerman, alleging that he had "knowingly and maliciously publishing false statements depicting VanderSloot in national media as a gay-basher." The case settled in October 2015 after Zuckerman admitted in a sworn affidavit that statements he made about VanderSloot were untrue.
Philanthropy
In 2003, VanderSloot founded the Melaleuca Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. The Melaleuca Foundation has been a financial contributor to the Santa Lucia Children's Home (Hogar Santa Lucia), an orphanage in Quito, Ecuador. In 2005, VanderSloot flew to Baton Rouge to deliver supplies to shelters after Hurricane Katrina and helped three displaced families with transportation issues. In 2007, VanderSloot's company Melaleuca received the Salvation Army Others Award for helping with relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
In February 2012, VanderSloot Farms purchased a property from the Idaho Falls School District 91 for $121,000. VanderSloot financed renovations of a building on the site, the New Sweden School, which had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and donated the entire parcel to the American Heritage Charter School. Inaugurated in August 2013, the charter school is modeled after the North Valley Academy in Gooding, Idaho, and bases its curriculum on the Core Knowledge Program established by E.D. Hirsch.
Awards
In 1998, VanderSloot received the Idaho Business Leader of the Year award from Idaho State University. In 2001, he was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the U.S. Northwestern region. He was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame in 2007 and received the Idaho Hometown Hero medal in 2011. VanderSloot received the Horatio Alger Award and became a lifetime member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2015. He was named fifth on the list of "100 Influential Idahoans of 2015" by the Ridenbaugh Press. VanderSloot was presented the Patriot Award in 2015 by the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for his support of soldiers.
Personal life
VanderSloot resides in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with his wife, Belinda VanderSloot (née Boyack), whom he married in 1995. Together they have fourteen children: six from Frank VanderSloot's two prior marriages, and eight from Belinda VanderSloot's first marriage. VanderSloot was previously married to Kathleen VanderSloot (née Zundel) and to Vivian VanderSloot, his second wife.
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CAVUTO: I mean, we talked to Frank VanderSloot, of course, a major donor to your campaign. He was subjected to no fewer than three agency audits. He was vindicated on each and all, but he had to pay $80,000, $85,000, I think he was telling me when he was here, in various attorney and accountant fees just to protect his good name. ROMNEY: Well, this is a very dangerous and troubling development
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The race to fill 7th District Judge James Herndon's seat appeared to be headed into a runoff...challenger Darren Simpson and…DaLon Esplin… Though the campaigning among the candidates was cordial, Herndon was attacked on May 7, when a newly formed political action committee, Citizens for Truth and Justice, ran an 'Anybody but Herndon' ad in the Post Register...Melaleuca Inc. Chief Executive Officer Frank VanderSloot, Watkins' boss, contributed $5,000 to the group...Ads criticizing Herndon have also aired on radio stations run by Riverbend Communications, a company VanderSloot owns with his wife, Belinda
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Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot publicly and financially supported Simpson's successful effort to knock off sitting Judge James Herndon last year...VanderSloot and his wife, Belinda, through donations to an anti-Herndon group called Citizens for Justice and through direct payments for advertising, spent nearly $16,000 to help Simpson win office
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