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'''Stephen J. Cloobeck''' (born October 26, 1961) is an American businessman, current Chairman of the State of Nevada Athletic Commission, philanthropist, and substantial donor to the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. He is the founder and former chairman and chief executive officer of the [[timeshare]] company [[Diamond Resorts]].
'''Stephen J. Cloobeck''' (born October 26, 1961) is an American businessman and substantial donor to the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. He is the founder and former chairman and chief executive officer of the [[timeshare]] company [[Diamond Resorts]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
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==Business activity==
==Business activity==
Cloobeck opened his first major development, the Polo Towers of Las Vegas, in 1992, pioneering the first purpose-built, high-rise vacation ownership property.<ref>https://www.thebrandusa.com/board-of-directors/eContent.asp?pg=Stephen%20J.%20Cloobeck&content=20&cat=12</ref> In April 2007, Cloobeck acquired the publicly traded company Sunterra Corporation and converted it into [[Diamond Resorts International]].<ref name="thebrandusa.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thebrandusa.com/board-of-directors/eContent.asp?pg=Stephen%20J.%20Cloobeck&content=20&cat=12 |title=Executive Leadership & Staff|publisher=The Brand USA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://travel-industry.uptake.com/blog/2012/01/13/undercover-boss-with-diamond-resorts-ceo-cloobeck |title=Undercover Boss Features Cloobeck of Diamond Resorts International and Brand USA |publisher=Discoveramerica.com |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012000637/http://travel-industry.uptake.com/blog/2012/01/13/undercover-boss-with-diamond-resorts-ceo-cloobeck/ |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He was also the chairman of the board of the US [[Corporation for Travel Promotion]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidethegate.com/2011/10/chairman-of-the-corporation-for-travel-promotion-introduced-president-barack-obama-at-bellagio-fundraiser/ |title=Chairman of the Corporation for Travel Promotion Introduced President Barack Obama at Bellagio Fundraiser |accessdate=October 4, 2012}}</ref> Cloobeck stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer of Diamond Resorts International when the company was purchased by [[Apollo Global Management]], LLC in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/apollo-global-nears-deal-to-buy-diamond-resorts-1467202412 |title=Apollo Global to Buy Diamond Resorts for $2.2 Billion |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=June 29, 2016 |accessdate=June 29, 2016}}</ref>
In April 2007, Cloobeck acquired the publicly traded company Sunterra Corporation and converted it into [[Diamond Resorts International]].<ref name="thebrandusa.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thebrandusa.com/board-of-directors/eContent.asp?pg=Stephen%20J.%20Cloobeck&content=20&cat=12 |title=Executive Leadership & Staff|publisher=The Brand USA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://travel-industry.uptake.com/blog/2012/01/13/undercover-boss-with-diamond-resorts-ceo-cloobeck |title=Undercover Boss Features Cloobeck of Diamond Resorts International and Brand USA |publisher=Discoveramerica.com |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012000637/http://travel-industry.uptake.com/blog/2012/01/13/undercover-boss-with-diamond-resorts-ceo-cloobeck/ |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He is also the chairman of the board of the US [[Corporation for Travel Promotion]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidethegate.com/2011/10/chairman-of-the-corporation-for-travel-promotion-introduced-president-barack-obama-at-bellagio-fundraiser/ |title=Chairman of the Corporation for Travel Promotion Introduced President Barack Obama at Bellagio Fundraiser |accessdate=October 4, 2012}}</ref> Cloobeck stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer of Diamond Resorts International when the company was purchased by [[Apollo Global Management]], LLC in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/apollo-global-nears-deal-to-buy-diamond-resorts-1467202412 |title=Apollo Global to Buy Diamond Resorts for $2.2 Billion |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=June 29, 2016 |accessdate=June 29, 2016}}</ref>


==Charitable and political activity==
==Charitable and political activity==
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In 2007, Cloobeck publicly considered running for governor of [[Nevada]], but instead purchased Sunterra.<ref>Stephen J. Cloobeck – Golden Nuggets For Diamond Resorts International, by Sharon B. Drechsler-Scott, RRP</ref>
In 2007, Cloobeck publicly considered running for governor of [[Nevada]], but instead purchased Sunterra.<ref>Stephen J. Cloobeck – Golden Nuggets For Diamond Resorts International, by Sharon B. Drechsler-Scott, RRP</ref>


In June 2011, Cloobeck donated $100,000 to Majority PAC, a [[Political Action Committee|PAC]] oriented to promoting Democratic candidates to the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]]. The donation was sent as a check from "JHJM Nevada I, LLC," which made the source not readily evident.<ref>Readers: Help Us Discover a Secret Donor, by Michael Luo, New York Times, February 4, 2012</ref>
In June 2011, donated $100,000 to Majority PAC, a [[Political Action Committee|PAC]] oriented to promoting Democratic candidates to the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]]. The donation was sent as a check from "JHJM Nevada I, LLC," which made the source not readily evident.<ref>Readers: Help Us Discover a Secret Donor, by Michael Luo, New York Times, February 4, 2012</ref>


On June 3, 2016, Cloobeck donated $1,000,000 to [[Priorities USA Action]], a pro-Hillary Clinton PAC.
On June 3, 2016, Cloobeck donated $1,000,000 to [[Priorities USA Action]], a pro-Hillary Clinton PAC.
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In January 2017, he explored a plan to run for governor in the state of Nevada, intending to seed his campaign with $5 million of his own money. He told the [[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] he was conducting polling exploring a bid. In April 2017, Cloobeck endorsed incumbent U.S. Senator [[Dean Heller]] (R) for [[United States Senate election in Nevada, 2018|re-election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/4/26/1656564/-This-potential-Democratic-gubernatorial-candidate-just-endorsed-Nevada-s-GOP-senator-for-re-election|title= This potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate just endorsed Nevada's GOP senator for re-election|date=April 26, 2017|publisher=Daily Kos}}</ref>
In January 2017, he explored a plan to run for governor in the state of Nevada, intending to seed his campaign with $5 million of his own money. He told the [[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] he was conducting polling exploring a bid. In April 2017, Cloobeck endorsed incumbent U.S. Senator [[Dean Heller]] (R) for [[United States Senate election in Nevada, 2018|re-election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/4/26/1656564/-This-potential-Democratic-gubernatorial-candidate-just-endorsed-Nevada-s-GOP-senator-for-re-election|title= This potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate just endorsed Nevada's GOP senator for re-election|date=April 26, 2017|publisher=Daily Kos}}</ref>


On October 2, 2017, it was reported that Cloobeck donated $400,000 to the [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|Las Vegas shooting]] GoFundMe campaign setup by law enforcement for benefit of victims.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wthr.com/article/gofundme-for-las-vegas-victims-surpasses-22m-mark-in-donations|title=GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims surpasses $2.2M mark in donations|last=WTHR Staff|date=October 2, 2017|publisher=13 WTHR Indianapolis|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/03/us/iyw-las-vegas-gofundme-donations-trnd/index.html|title=GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims passes $3 million|last=Levenson|first=Eric|date=October 3, 2017|work=[[CNN]]|accessdate=4 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/10/03/las-vegas-businessman-gives-400000-to-aid-massacre-victims.html|title=Las Vegas businessman gives $400,000 to aid massacre victims|last=Martin|first=Ken|date=October 3, 2017|work=Fox Business|accessdate=4 October 2017}}</ref>
On October 2, 2017, it was reported that Cloobeck donated $400,000 to the [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|Las Vegas shooting]] GoFundMe campaign setup by law enforcement for benefit of victims.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wthr.com/article/gofundme-for-las-vegas-victims-surpasses-22m-mark-in-donations|title=GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims surpasses $2.2M mark in donations|last=WTHR Staff|date=October 2, 2017|publisher=13 WTHR Indianapolis|accessdate=3 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/03/us/iyw-las-vegas-gofundme-donations-trnd/index.html|title=GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims passes $3 million|last=Levenson|first=Eric|date=October 3, 2017|work=[[CNN]]|accessdate=4 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/10/03/las-vegas-businessman-gives-400000-to-aid-massacre-victims.html|title=Las Vegas businessman gives $400,000 to aid massacre victims|last=Martin|first=Ken|date=October 3, 2017|work=Fox Business|accessdate=4 October 2017}}</ref>

On July 1, 2020, Brandeis University, where Cloobeck graduated in 1983, announced that it received a donation of $1 million from Cloobeck to support research of the brain and intelligence. <ref>https://alumni.brandeis.edu/stories/alumni/2020-steve-cloobeck.html</ref>

In February 2021 Cloobeck announced he would donate $1 million for the renaming of Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport to Harry Reid International Airport, after the long-serving U.S. Senator from Nevada and close friend of Cloobeck. <ref>https://www.ktnv.com/news/diamond-resorts-intl-founder-pledges-1m-from-foundation-to-help-las-vegas-airport-rebranding</ref> The airport name was officially changed in December 2021. <ref>https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/tributes-pour-in-as-las-vegas-mccarran-airport-renamed-after-harry-reid</ref>

On August 31, 2021, ADL Nevada announced that Cloobeck made a donation of an undisclosed amount to support the anti-hate organization’s strategic partnership with EVERFI, Inc., to implement a Nevada-focused digital antisemitism prevention course for high school students known as Building Insights to Navigate Antisemitism & Hate (BINAH). The program is designed to help students understand the history and current reality of antisemitism in the U.S. and its relation to other expressions of discrimination to help build greater tolerance and empathy in society and reduce hate. <ref>https://lasvegas.adl.org/news/adl_nevada_everfi_hs_antisemitism/</ref>

Cloobeck donated $250,000 in June 2022 to the Los Angeles Dream Center, a faith-based organization that offers residential and outreach programs to individuals, families, and communities dealing with homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, domestic violence, education, and human trafficking.<ref>https://www.lansingcitypulse.com/premium/napsnet/stories/faith-based-life-transformation-organization-gets-a-transformative-donation,21378?</ref>


Cloobeck is the largest donor to [[The Nevada Independent]], having donated $1,000,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/our-donors|title = The Nevada Independent - Your state. Your news. Your voice}}</ref>
Cloobeck is the largest donor to [[The Nevada Independent]], having donated $1,000,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/our-donors|title = The Nevada Independent - Your state. Your news. Your voice}}</ref>

==Government Service==

In November 2010, Cloobeck was elected as the first Chairman of the Corporation for Travel Promotion, also known as Brand USA, a nonprofit corporation created by Congress for the purpose of promoting foreign leisure, business and scholarly travel to the U.S. <ref>https://www.prweb.com/releases/corporationfor/travelpromotion/prweb4724334.htm</ref>
Cloobeck was appointed Chairman of the State of Nevada Athletic Commission in 2021 by Gov. Steve Sisolak, after serving previously as a member of the Commission. <ref>https://boxing.nv.gov/about/Commission/</ref> Soon after taking over as Chairman, the Athletic Commission voted to no longer discipline fighters for cannabis. The Athletic Commission, which regulates some of the most high-profile boxing and MMA fights in the world, joined the Florida State Boxing Commission, which stopped testing for marijuana completely in May 2021. <ref>https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/31777158/the-nevada-state-athletic-commission-votes-not-discipline-boxers-mma-fighters-marijuana-use</ref> In December 2021, Cloobeck led the effort by the Commission to pass “Nathan’s Law”, a set of emergency regulations for amateur boxing events the Athletic Commission previously could not oversee. The law is named after UNLV student Nathan Valencia, who died following a fraternity's charity boxing event that was exempt from the Athletic Commission’s supervision until passage of the new law. <ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2021/12/13/nevada-athletic-commissinathans-law-unlv-student-death-fraternity-boxin/49522561/</ref>


==Media==
==Media==
Cloobeck has appeared on [[Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series)|the US edition of ''Undercover Boss'']] twice. Cloobeck first appeared in Season 3, Episode 1 (initially aired January 15, 2012), and again in Season 4, Episode 4 (initially aired November 30, 2012).<ref>[[List of Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series) episodes]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/undercover_boss/|title=Undercover Boss - CBS.com|website=[[CBS]]|publisher=}}</ref> Cloobeck’s surprise donations to his workers at the end of each Undercover Boss episode has earned him the description of “the most generous undercover boss seen on the show” <ref>https://www.business2community.com/infographics/top-five-generous-prizes-infographic-0696665</ref> and the top ranked executive on a list of “Undercover Boss: The Most Generous Company Giveaways”. <ref>https://screenrant.com/undercover-boss-most-generous-company-giveaways/</ref>
Cloobeck has appeared on [[Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series)|the US edition of ''Undercover Boss'']] twice. Cloobeck first appeared in Season 3, Episode 1 (initially aired January 15, 2012), and again in Season 4, Episode 4 (initially aired November 30, 2012).<ref>[[List of Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series) episodes]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/undercover_boss/|title=Undercover Boss - CBS.com|website=[[CBS]]|publisher=}}</ref>


On November 7, 2017, Cloobeck appeared on [[MSNBC]] and said he told Democratic leaders he would "cut your money off" if they criticize the wealthy, saying: "I've talked to [[Chuck Schumer|[Senator Chuck] Schumer]], I've talked to [[Ron Wyden|[Senator Ron] Wyden]], I've talked to [[Nancy Pelosi|[Representative Nancy] Pelosi]] and I've said if you use the term billionaire again, I'm done."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/wealthy-dem-stephen-cloobeck-blasts-party-attack-rich-163213865.html |title=Wealthy Dem Stephen Cloobeck Blasts Party for Attack on Rich: 'Effing Wrong' (Video) |work=[[Yahoo!]] |last=Levine |first=Jon |date=7 November 2017 |accessdate=14 November 2017}}</ref>
On November 7, 2017, Cloobeck appeared on [[MSNBC]] and said he told Democratic leaders he would "cut your money off" if they criticize the wealthy, saying: "I've talked to [[Chuck Schumer|[Senator Chuck] Schumer]], I've talked to [[Ron Wyden|[Senator Ron] Wyden]], I've talked to [[Nancy Pelosi|[Representative Nancy] Pelosi]] and I've said if you use the term billionaire again, I'm done."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/wealthy-dem-stephen-cloobeck-blasts-party-attack-rich-163213865.html |title=Wealthy Dem Stephen Cloobeck Blasts Party for Attack on Rich: 'Effing Wrong' (Video) |work=[[Yahoo!]] |last=Levine |first=Jon |date=7 November 2017 |accessdate=14 November 2017}}</ref>


⚫
== Personal life ==
Cloobeck published a book in 2018, “CHECKING IN: Hospitality-Driven Thinking, Business, And You,” about his career in the hospitality industry and focus on customer service -- what he calls the “Meaning of Yes.” <ref>https://www.amazon.com/Stephen-J.-Cloobeck/e/B07GY38PPG%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share</ref>
⚫
In July 2020, Cloobeck began dating Canadian-based OnlyFans model Stefanie Gurzanski without knowing her past as a pornographic performer {{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} and someone who poses nude for money {{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}. They dated for five months. Their relationship ended after Cloobeck discovered that she was secretly taking nude photos in his houses and selling them on OnlyFans.<ref name=":1" /> Cloobeck sued Gurzanski on January 7 in state court, in Los Angeles, for a variety of offenses, including fraud and trespassing. On January 12, Gurzanski asked the California state court for a temporary restraining order against Cloobeck. In an affidavit she filed, she stated that, “He started telling me that I was no longer allowed to publish pictures on Onlyfans.com...I told him that I was going to keep doing my work as it is a source of income.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Editor|first=Contributing|date=2021-01-15|title=Judge Orders Man to Stay Away From Woman He Sued After Rocky Breakup|url=https://mynewsla.com/crime/2021/01/14/judge-orders-man-to-stay-away-from-woman-he-sued-after-rocky-breakup/|access-date=2021-04-26|website=MyNewsLA.com|language=en-US}}</ref> On March 8, Cloobeck filed an amended complaint against Gurzanski,<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Cohan|first=William D.|title=Private Jets, Mega-Mansions, and Broken Hearts: Inside the Messy, Litigious Breakup of an OnlyFans Model and Her Über-Wealthy Boyfriend|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/inside-the-messy-litigious-breakup-of-an-onlyfans-model-and-her-uber-wealthy-boyfriend|access-date=2021-04-21|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=April 2021|language=en-us}}</ref> alleging that she deceived him by claiming to be a “legitimate fashion model”, and that Gurzanski secretly used his private jets and mansions as backdrops for her nude OnlyFans shoots—including while his teenage daughter was in the house. “Little did I know that while I was working in my various homes and my children were in the home and my employees, she was shooting porn in the bathrooms and putting it on OnlyFans,” Cloobeck said.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-13|title=Why a Millionaire Says He Wants Ex to Return Expensive Gifts|url=https://www.insideedition.com/millionaire-wants-ex-to-give-him-back-over-1m-in-gifts-after-he-says-he-learned-she-posed-on-65483|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Inside Edition|language=en-US}}</ref>


Cloobeck claims he's the “sole and exclusive” owner of the photos showing Gurzanski in skimpy bikinis and a revealing pink dress, which he says she published without his permission. Cloobeck is also seeking to be reimbursed for the more than $1.3 million worth of gifts and “experiences” he lavished on his ex — including more than 100 bikinis and pieces of lingerie that she “used as props in her ... OnlyFans posts,” the suit claims.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Manskar|first=Noah|date=2021-03-18|title=Timeshare mogul sues Instagram model ex over racy OnlyFans photos|url=https://nypost.com/2021/03/17/timeshare-mogul-stephen-cloobeck-sues-ex-over-onlyfans-photos/|access-date=2021-04-21|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
== Personal life ==
⚫
In July 2020, Cloobeck began dating Canadian-based OnlyFans model Stefanie Gurzanski without knowing her past as a pornographic performer <ref>https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/timeshare-moguls-suit-vs-ex-girlfriend-cites-lavish-gifts-racy-pics-2336727/</ref> and someone who poses nude for money.<ref>https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/timeshare-moguls-suit-vs-ex-girlfriend-cites-lavish-gifts-racy-pics-2336727/</ref> They dated for five months. Their relationship ended after Cloobeck discovered that she was secretly taking nude photos in his houses and selling them on OnlyFans.<ref name=":1" /> Cloobeck sued Gurzanski on January 7, 2021, in state court, in Los Angeles, for a variety of offenses, including fraud and trespassing. On March 8, 2021, Cloobeck filed an amended complaint against Gurzanski,<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|last=Cohan|first=William D.|title=Private Jets, Mega-Mansions, and Broken Hearts: Inside the Messy, Litigious Breakup of an OnlyFans Model and Her Über-Wealthy Boyfriend|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/inside-the-messy-litigious-breakup-of-an-onlyfans-model-and-her-uber-wealthy-boyfriend|access-date=2021-04-21|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=April 2021|language=en-us}}</ref> alleging that she deceived him by claiming to be a “legitimate fashion model”, and that Gurzanski secretly used his private jets and mansions as backdrops for her nude OnlyFans shoots—including while his teenage daughter was in the house. “Little did I know that while I was working in my various homes and my children were in the home and my employees, she was shooting porn in the bathrooms and putting it on OnlyFans,” Cloobeck said.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-13|title=Why a Millionaire Says He Wants Ex to Return Expensive Gifts|url=https://www.insideedition.com/millionaire-wants-ex-to-give-him-back-over-1m-in-gifts-after-he-says-he-learned-she-posed-on-65483|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Inside Edition|language=en-US}}</ref>


Cloobeck says he has offered to settle with Gurzanski if she returns the gifts he bought her so he can donate the proceeds to charity, take down any photos that show his property, and provide a public apology acknowledging she deceived him about her pornographic history. She claims she has offered to give back all of the gifts he bought her and the things she bought for herself with his credit card, but a Cloobeck spokesperson said Cloobeck has been the one offering to settle.<ref name=":0" />
The case was settled in December 2021 with no terms disclosed. <ref>https://mynewsla.com/business/2021/12/06/businessman-democratic-party-donor-settles-suit-with-former-flame/</ref>


On April 1, Arthur Barens, Gurzanski’s lawyer, filed a motion with the court seeking sanctions against Cloobeck, in excess of $100,000, for violating the temporary restraining order. Cloobeck’s lawyer Robert Allen said Cloobeck was only communicating with Gurzanski to urge her to agree to a settlement of his lawsuit. Cloobeck’s legal team has moved for the restraining order to be quashed, claiming the court didn't have jurisdiction over him at the time because he was in Mexico.<ref name=":0" />


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 21:19, 25 October 2022

Stephen J. Cloobeck
Cloobeck in 2012
Born (1961-10-26) October 26, 1961 (age 63)
Alma materBrandeis University
OccupationBusinessman
Political partyDemocrat

Stephen J. Cloobeck (born October 26, 1961) is an American businessman and substantial donor to the Democratic Party. He is the founder and former chairman and chief executive officer of the timeshare company Diamond Resorts.

Early life

In 1983, Cloobeck graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in Psychobiology.[1]

Business activity

In April 2007, Cloobeck acquired the publicly traded company Sunterra Corporation and converted it into Diamond Resorts International.[2][3] He is also the chairman of the board of the US Corporation for Travel Promotion.[4] Cloobeck stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer of Diamond Resorts International when the company was purchased by Apollo Global Management, LLC in June 2016.[5]

Charitable and political activity

Cloobeck was chairman of the board of the Nevada Cancer Institute.[6][7] In 2012, he endowed the "Stephen J. Cloobeck '83 Endowed Fellowship" at the Brandeis University International Business School.[2] He was a founder of the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Awareness. He has also worked with a number of other charitable and educational groups.

In 2007, Cloobeck publicly considered running for governor of Nevada, but instead purchased Sunterra.[8]

In June 2011, donated $100,000 to Majority PAC, a PAC oriented to promoting Democratic candidates to the U.S. Senate. The donation was sent as a check from "JHJM Nevada I, LLC," which made the source not readily evident.[9]

On June 3, 2016, Cloobeck donated $1,000,000 to Priorities USA Action, a pro-Hillary Clinton PAC.

In January 2017, he explored a plan to run for governor in the state of Nevada, intending to seed his campaign with $5 million of his own money. He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he was conducting polling exploring a bid. In April 2017, Cloobeck endorsed incumbent U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R) for re-election.[10]

On October 2, 2017, it was reported that Cloobeck donated $400,000 to the Las Vegas shooting GoFundMe campaign setup by law enforcement for benefit of victims.[11][12][13]

Cloobeck is the largest donor to The Nevada Independent, having donated $1,000,000.[14]

Media

Cloobeck has appeared on the US edition of Undercover Boss twice. Cloobeck first appeared in Season 3, Episode 1 (initially aired January 15, 2012), and again in Season 4, Episode 4 (initially aired November 30, 2012).[15][16]

On November 7, 2017, Cloobeck appeared on MSNBC and said he told Democratic leaders he would "cut your money off" if they criticize the wealthy, saying: "I've talked to [Senator Chuck] Schumer, I've talked to [Senator Ron] Wyden, I've talked to [Representative Nancy] Pelosi and I've said if you use the term billionaire again, I'm done."[17]

Personal life

In July 2020, Cloobeck began dating Canadian-based OnlyFans model Stefanie Gurzanski without knowing her past as a pornographic performer [citation needed] and someone who poses nude for money [citation needed]. They dated for five months. Their relationship ended after Cloobeck discovered that she was secretly taking nude photos in his houses and selling them on OnlyFans.[18] Cloobeck sued Gurzanski on January 7 in state court, in Los Angeles, for a variety of offenses, including fraud and trespassing. On January 12, Gurzanski asked the California state court for a temporary restraining order against Cloobeck. In an affidavit she filed, she stated that, “He started telling me that I was no longer allowed to publish pictures on Onlyfans.com...I told him that I was going to keep doing my work as it is a source of income.”[19] On March 8, Cloobeck filed an amended complaint against Gurzanski,[20] alleging that she deceived him by claiming to be a “legitimate fashion model”, and that Gurzanski secretly used his private jets and mansions as backdrops for her nude OnlyFans shoots—including while his teenage daughter was in the house. “Little did I know that while I was working in my various homes and my children were in the home and my employees, she was shooting porn in the bathrooms and putting it on OnlyFans,” Cloobeck said.[21]

Cloobeck claims he's the “sole and exclusive” owner of the photos showing Gurzanski in skimpy bikinis and a revealing pink dress, which he says she published without his permission. Cloobeck is also seeking to be reimbursed for the more than $1.3 million worth of gifts and “experiences” he lavished on his ex — including more than 100 bikinis and pieces of lingerie that she “used as props in her ... OnlyFans posts,” the suit claims.[18]

Cloobeck says he has offered to settle with Gurzanski if she returns the gifts he bought her so he can donate the proceeds to charity, take down any photos that show his property, and provide a public apology acknowledging she deceived him about her pornographic history. She claims she has offered to give back all of the gifts he bought her and the things she bought for herself with his credit card, but a Cloobeck spokesperson said Cloobeck has been the one offering to settle.[20]

On April 1, Arthur Barens, Gurzanski’s lawyer, filed a motion with the court seeking sanctions against Cloobeck, in excess of $100,000, for violating the temporary restraining order. Cloobeck’s lawyer Robert Allen said Cloobeck was only communicating with Gurzanski to urge her to agree to a settlement of his lawsuit. Cloobeck’s legal team has moved for the restraining order to be quashed, claiming the court didn't have jurisdiction over him at the time because he was in Mexico.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Executive Profile Stephen J. Cloobeck Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Resorts Holdings, LLC". Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Executive Leadership & Staff". The Brand USA.
  3. ^ "Undercover Boss Features Cloobeck of Diamond Resorts International and Brand USA". Discoveramerica.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  4. ^ "Chairman of the Corporation for Travel Promotion Introduced President Barack Obama at Bellagio Fundraiser". Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  5. ^ "Apollo Global to Buy Diamond Resorts for $2.2 Billion". Wall Street Journal. June 29, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  6. ^ Executive Profile Stephen J. Cloobeck
  7. ^ Stephen J. Cloobeck Archived July 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Nevada Cancer Institute
  8. ^ Stephen J. Cloobeck – Golden Nuggets For Diamond Resorts International, by Sharon B. Drechsler-Scott, RRP
  9. ^ Readers: Help Us Discover a Secret Donor, by Michael Luo, New York Times, February 4, 2012
  10. ^ "This potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate just endorsed Nevada's GOP senator for re-election". Daily Kos. April 26, 2017.
  11. ^ WTHR Staff (October 2, 2017). "GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims surpasses $2.2M mark in donations". 13 WTHR Indianapolis. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  12. ^ Levenson, Eric (October 3, 2017). "GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims passes $3 million". CNN. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  13. ^ Martin, Ken (October 3, 2017). "Las Vegas businessman gives $400,000 to aid massacre victims". Fox Business. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  14. ^ "The Nevada Independent - Your state. Your news. Your voice".
  15. ^ List of Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series) episodes
  16. ^ "Undercover Boss - CBS.com". CBS.
  17. ^ Levine, Jon (November 7, 2017). "Wealthy Dem Stephen Cloobeck Blasts Party for Attack on Rich: 'Effing Wrong' (Video)". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  18. ^ a b Manskar, Noah (March 18, 2021). "Timeshare mogul sues Instagram model ex over racy OnlyFans photos". New York Post. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  19. ^ Editor, Contributing (January 15, 2021). "Judge Orders Man to Stay Away From Woman He Sued After Rocky Breakup". MyNewsLA.com. Retrieved April 26, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ a b c Cohan, William D. (April 2021). "Private Jets, Mega-Mansions, and Broken Hearts: Inside the Messy, Litigious Breakup of an OnlyFans Model and Her Über-Wealthy Boyfriend". Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  21. ^ "Why a Millionaire Says He Wants Ex to Return Expensive Gifts". Inside Edition. March 13, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
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