Who is Richard Farmer?

Richard Farmer owns Cintas Corporation, the nation’s
largest uniform rental company. Over the past 15 years, he and his wife have given $3.1 million to Bush campaigns, the Republican Party and Republican candidates. [Source: Washington Post]

5 Things Farmer Doesn't Want You to Know

1. Under Investigation For Defrauding the Postal Service. The Inspector General for the U.S. Postal Service is investigating whether Farmer's Cintas violated the federal False Claims Act when it tacked millions of dollars in "environmental fees" on uniforms and cleaning products for the postal service as part of a $200 million contract. The question is whether the extra regulatory fees even existed. [Source: Forbes]

2. Failed to Pay Drivers Overtime. Drivers at Farmer's Cintas often worked more than 40 hours a week, and Cintas didn't always pay overtime. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of 800 California drivers that alleged that Cintas failed to properly record and compensate drivers for overtime and was settled in 2003 for $10 million. [Source: New York Times]

3. Refused to Pay Workers Minimum Wage. In 2005, an Alameda County judge ruled that Farmer's Cintas had failed to pay workers the minimum wage. Cintas had violated the terms of its contract with the city of Hayword, and was ordered to pay workers back wages, interest and penalties. [Source: San Francisco Chronicle]

4. Lobbied for Exemption from EPA Safety Regulations. The EPA suggested that woven towels contaminated with chemical solvents should be considered hazardous waste. Farmer then contributed $250,000 to the NRCC, hosted a 1.7 million dollar fundraiser for Bush, and made calls to Ohio Senators and Congressmen. Six weeks later the EPA changed its position, adopting a more lenient proposal for woven towels. [Source: Washington
Post; CorpWatch]

5. Used “Any Means Necessary” to Block Unionization. Farmer's Cintas is infamous for “using any means necessary to block the union drive.” Management fired employees under false pretenses, according to worker complaints documented by the unions; vowed to close plants; and screened anti-union videos. A plant manager in Vista, California, threatened to "kick driver-employees with his steel-toed boots," according to a complaint UNITE HERE filed with the National Labor Relations Board. [Source: The Nation]

Richard Farmer's Giving History

Between 2007 and 2008, Farmer donates over $100,000 dollars to American Solutions. Newt Gingrich bills his 527, American Solutions for Winning the Future, as a non-partisan policy shop. But news reports revealed that American Solutions was simply Gingrich's “back door into the presidential process.” The Atlanta Journal Constitution described the group's mission as “promoting its founder's presidential aspirations,” while The Washington Post debunked the group's alleged non-partisanship, concluding that American Solutions was ”clearly courting conservatives.” for Gingrich. American Solutions allowed Gingrich to repeatedly visit states with early primaries and caucuses, air ads, and build a network of supporters through direct mail and marketing - “much like a presidential contender.” Watchdog organizations question whether American Solutions violates federal law, as a potential candidate cannot use 527 funds once he or she begins to test the waters. Due to American Solutions' non-profit status, the group is not subject to the restrictions of a typical candidate committee and can accept donations of any amount from virtually anyone. American Solutions continues to receive large contributions from troubled donors. [Sources: Atlanta Journal Constitution, 10/3/07, 9/15/07]

In 2000 & 2004, Farmer raised at least $300,000 for Bush's campaign. Richard T. Farmer became a Bush “Pioneer” for the 2000 campaign, raising at least $100,000. In 2004, Farmer earned the more exalted “Ranger” status by raising a minimum of $200,000 in individual contributions. Over the past 15 years, he and his wife have given $3.1 million to Bush campaigns, the Republican Party and Republican candidates. [Source: Washington Post]

In 2008, Farmer raised over $50,000 for John McCain's Presidential Campaign. [Source: McCain for President]

Further Reading

Fundraiser Denies Links Between Money, Access
Washington Post, 5/17/04, James Grimaldi and Thomas B Edsall

Richard T. Farmer (with Joyce E.)
The Mother Jones 400, 3/5/01, Mother Jones

Dirty Laundry
Forbes, 12/11/06, Mark Tatge and Miriam Gottfried

Where Neatness Truly Counts
New York Times, 8/11/05, Jeff Bailey