Born in Jackson Heights, Queens, Mr. Melius started his career as a plumber before becoming involved in construction. He ultimately made his fortune in real estate. Mr. Melius ingratiated himself with the political establishment, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democrats and Republicans alike. He has also raised millions for charity. He regularly hosted poker games at the castle, attended by a who’s who of the New York political establishment.
| Donor | Common Recipients |
|---|---|
| Robert Allen Haveman | Republican National Committee |
| Rickey Brantley | Fred Dalton Thompson |
| Ellen Alemany | Hillary Clinton |
| Types | Person, Business Person |
| Gender | Male |