Richert: Regarding Frank VanderSloot

Frank VanderSloot (pictured) denied a lot of different things Tuesday. In a 1,750-word statement to Salon.com, VanderSloot denied that he’s a billionaire. He denied that the business that made him his fortune — Melaleuca, an Idaho Falls household and nutritional products company — is a “pyramid scheme.” Despite his long record of supporting Idaho Republicans, he said he doesn’t consider himself a Republican or a Democrat. “I’m quite conservative on most social and economic issues. And I’m pretty liberal on most environmental issues.” He also denied the central point of a 3,600-word column written by Salon.com’s Glenn Greenwald: his assertion that VanderSloot uses his money and “chronic bullying threats” to muzzle reporters and bloggers who dare to challenge him/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Did you know much — anything? — about Frank VanderSloot & his use of his Melaleuca fortune to support Mitt Romney & conservative candidates before he was focus of Salon & Rachel Maddow stories?