Is Mark Leder suing the secret videographer??? "For now, I'm hiding"

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2012/09/20/is-marc-leder-suing-the-secret-videographer-of-mitt-romneys-47-percent-remarks-

The mysterious filmmaker behind Mitt Romney's "47 percent" video still has not revealed his or her identity, and now we may have a clue as to why.

A Twitter account believed to belong to the filmmaker, who was possibly the bartender at the May fundraiser where Romney made the remarks, tweeted early Thursday:



The fundraiser was hosted at the Boca Raton, Fla., home of wealthy private equity executive Marc Leder, who is reportedly not happy about the film.

According to Wall Street money manager-turned-blogger Laura Goldman, guests were told at the fundraiser that Romney's comments were off the record and not for sharing with the press. "[Leder] is in the process of narrowing down the suspects and is contemplating contacting law enforcement," Goldman wrote on her blog Tuesday.

Goldman attended the Wharton School of Business just before Leder and has sources within the Philadelphia 76ers organization, which Leder co-owns.

On Thursday, Goldman told Whispers that Leder “is very upset that he embarrassed Romney.”

“He believes it was someone on the waitstaff. Since the view of Romney remained unobstructed throughout the taping, he believes that more than one person knew the taping was going on,” she said. “He has threatened to ruin the catering company.”

In Florida, it is against the law to record private conversations without obtaining permission from the person.

When reached by phone, Leder's spokesman Tom Faust said he was not aware of the tweet and would not comment on a possible suit.

At least two people know the identity of the worried filmmaker: Mother Jones's David Corn, who broke the story of Romney's remarks, and James Carter IV, who helped Corn get the video.

Over Twitter, the filmmaker responded to an interview request from Whispers: "I appreciate you spreading the words of Mitt Romney. For now, I'm hiding. TTYS."

[vaberella]

1. I hope nothing happens to him or her. He did a good thing.

It could have very well been a guest who did this too.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. Carter said no to that (guest)...Guess he could be trying to throw us off

but he doesn't seem like he could pull off a misdirection.

How many people could have done it....it's a small universe, bet they will find out.

[malaise]

6. A good thing?

A great thing!!! He must be protected.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

9. may be too late to protect? they probably said way too much about it already. But, you

have to admit, it was an enormously gutsy thing to do, given the probable small universe of people who could have done it. Guess it depends on how much the catering company is willing to stick their necks out to protect their business. although it probably is a goner anyway.

Geez, would it be a cool thing if the whole catering company was formed just to do this. Great movie plot.

[malaise]

14. Hubby was talking about the movie about Rmoney's campaign

and the ultimate moment that he lost -thanks to the 'help'!!!

Seriously the entire exposure was brilliant - the help, David Corn (who fought against the RWs with Mother Jones and was attacked for being given WH credentials after Obama won) and of course Jimmy Carter IV, making this one of the greatest moments of karma ever.
Who would have 'thunk' this one up????
And don't forget the Pawlenty resignation in the middle of this mess.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. favorite line "Pawlenty's had pawlenty of Romney."

[malaise]

19. Great line

I wonder if his supporters have had pawlenty enough of Rmoney

[Angry Dragon]

2. Political speeches are not private conversations

[Laura PourMeADrink]

5. good point.

[Siwsan]

3. If this is true, wouldn't Leder just be throwing more gasoline on the fire??

He would come across as an evil, rich bastard out to destroy one of the very people Willard was disparaging. Which is probably what he is, anyway, but this would make it much more visible.

I would think he would be much more upset about the details of his debauched 'parties' being leaked. Just kind of conflicts with the so-called values of the so-called family values set.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. agree....outing the person has a tremendous down side. But, they just can't help

wanting to get even with a probable "little person" who stung them?

[panader0]

22. Rmoney would lose even more votes if hos campaign or Leder went after the film maker.

[2pooped2pop]

8. start now moving anything big out of your name

then file bankruptcy on it if they win. If you own a home, consider putting it into a trust acct. If you do it now, you may be able to prevent them from getting to it.

If you don't own much, don't worry too much, you can file bankruptcy on him after it is over.

In addition, I would think that many net people will help you.

Don't admit to anything. Quit posting on facebook.

Contact the Jimmy Carter family as they urged you to release it. They might help you defend.

[Drahthaardogs]

10. Is a speech a "conversation"?

I am not a lawyer, but I say no way.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. would love to see the caterer's contract with Leder. If it was the caterer. Hell, you could always

say that you videotaped your own people - to make sure they are doing a good job. haha. like a training video

[SDjack]

12. Quick! Liquidate your property and deposit the cash in a secret Swiss bank account. nt

[riverwalker]

13. we'll have your back (so will half the nation)

Imagine the publicity (all bad for Leder). "The 47% Defense Fund', hundreds of democratic and sane attorneys lining up to do pro bono defense. "We are the 47%" campaigns.
A political speech to 150+ people is hardly a private conversation.
Not exactly a Linda Tripp situation.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. I wonder about the laws about journalists protecting their sources - and how much it would play

into it, if at all. Carter's not a journalist so if they drug him up on the stand, he would have to reveal who it is. BUT, Carter said he didn't know the name of the person. So, the only way they would actually find out who it was would be if other people outted her/him.

you are right...would be very dangerous politically to pursue this.

[underpants]

15. I thought that the waiters in the white gloves was a much overlooked part of this story

the incredible disconnect from a dinner for millionaires with waitstaff in white gloves to the Average Joe is huge.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. the sweet poetic justice of it all.

[TwilightGardener]

20. Law enforcement? What law did this person break? This wasn't a private

conversation, it was a political function to raise money.

[riderinthestorm]

21. Crap. What a damn shame. I've been sued and its nerve-wracking. Especially when you aren't rich

its hard to just shrug this off.

I'm sure the person who did this is sweating bullets (as well as the 99%er who owns the catering business). I hope Mother Jones and the Carter family can step in and help them but I fear this won't end well for those folks. The Rethug PTB are not amused and they're out for blood.