January 8, 2012

(JTA) — Casino and hotel magnate Sheldon Adelson donated $5 million to a group supporting Newt Gingrich for the Republican presidential nomination.

The Washington Post reported late over the weekend that Adelson gave the money on Jan. 6 to Winning Our Future, an independent committee, or Super PAC, run by former Gingrich associates.

An unnamed source close to Adelson, a long-time Republican donor, told the newspaper that the billionaire planned to spend another $5 million during the campaign.

The first $5 million check is meant to keep Gingrich competitive in the Jan. 21 primary in South Carolina, according to the newspaper.

Adelson and his wife have each given the maximum $2,500 to Gingrich’s campaign.

Super PACs can raise unlimited sums from corporations, unions and other groups, as well as individuals, and indirectly support a political candidate. 

Adelson, chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., is worth more than $21 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
 

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