Carl Lindner , chair of American Financial Group, a holding company whose subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the insurance business but which also controls Chiquita Brands International, gives generously to both Democrats and Republicans. Other large soft money donations during the first three months of 1998 came from trial lawyers, tobacco companies, and the computer industry, according to the Common Cause study. Lerach is a leading opponent of efforts in Congress to restrict class action lawsuits by shareholders. The contributions came as Congress continued to grapple with a proposed national tobacco settlement, and House and Senate committees held hearings delving into revelations that the industry targeted teenage smokers in the marketing of cigarettes. The contribution came less than a month after the company's chair Bill Gates testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Hard money means contributions that are legal under federal law for federal elections.
Soft money means contributions made outside the limits and prohibitions of federal law, including large individual or PAC contributions and direct corporate or union contributions. Totals do not include transfers between party committees, bank loans or interest, offsets to operating expenditures or other business-related receipts.