Dr. Akshay "A.K." Desai borrowed tens of millions of dollars from friends and other investors and quickly built a group of interlocking companies that quickly took in more than $1 billion last year from taxpayers.
He spent lavishly on a waterfront home, $100,000 cars, frequent parties, art, and Republican candidates -- especially candidates. In return, he got appointed to public posts and invited to hang out with them at their homes and on campaign planes.
But as the Tampa Bay Timesreported Sunday, after interviewing former employees and examining records, the founder of Universal Health Care had a mean streak and a lot of secrets.