Marc Leder, who hosted a May fundraiser at his Boca Raton, Fla. home during which Mitt Romney infamously said that 47 percent of Americans being "dependent on government" and seeing themselves as "victims," has apologized to the GOP presidential nominee over the leaked footage of the remarks, reports Philadelphia blogger Laura Goldman.
According to the report, Leder believes the leak came from someone who was hired to work at the fundraiser. Guests were reminded that Romney's comments were off the record and asked not to repeat them to the press.
Leder made a statement to Fortune on Tuesday: "I hosted a fundraiser for an old friend in May. I believe all Americans should have the opportunity to succeed, to improve their lives, and to build even better lives for their children. I have supported people from both political parties who share this view and make it a priority, even though their ideas on how to achieve it may differ."
Leder is a co-founder of private equity firm Sun Capital. The New York Times reported that Romney inspired Leder to get into private equity, and he now oversees about $8 billion in equity. Romney's 2011 financial disclosure included small investments in companies controlled by Sun.
At the May event, Romney said, "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what." He continued, "All right -- there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims, who believe that government has the responsibility to care for them. Who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing."
Romney has stood by the remarks amid bipartisan criticism, but has said that they were "not elegantly stated."
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