Marc Benioff, the billionaire CEO of Salesforce and owner of Time magazine, has reportedly been involved in a controversial exchange with a journalist who investigated his land acquisitions in Hawaii.
According to a report by NPR, Benioff allegedly revealed personal information about the journalist's family during their interaction.
The report, published on Wednesday, revealed that Benioff has used at least six anonymous Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) to acquire nearly 40 parcels of land in the small Hawaiian town of Waimea. Dara Kerr, the journalist who reported on these purchases, claimed that Benioff reacted aggressively when questioned about his land acquisitions.
"A couple of days before the interview, Benioff texted the same NPR colleague again, asking for intel on my story. Then he called me and demanded to know the title of this piece," Kerr wrote in her report. She further added, "During that call, he also mentioned he knew the exact area where I was staying. Unnerved, I asked how he knew, and he said, 'It's my job. You have a job and I have a job.' During the interview, he brings up more personal details about me and my family."
This incident is not an isolated one. Benioff, a prominent Democratic donor who has contributed nearly $1.3 million to Democratic candidates and causes since 2011, as per federal campaign finance disclosures, has reportedly exhibited similar behavior in the past. In 2006, Wall Street Journal reporter Pui-Wing Tam, who was investigating Benioff's Hawaiian real estate, was allegedly detained when she visited one of his oceanfront properties. Benioff later claimed to have hired a private investigator to track her.
Kerr's report also revealed that Benioff called NPR CEO John Lansing to express his dissatisfaction with the outlet's investigation into his land purchases in Hawaii. The investigation found that Benioff had bought nearly 40 parcels of land in Hawaii using at least six LLCs and one nonprofit, none of which were registered under his name.
These acquisitions have sparked fears among local residents that they may be priced out of their homes. In one instance, Benioff reportedly purchased the land housing a local bakery at a price more than 50 percent above market value, leading to its closure.
In total, Benioff's Hawaiian properties cover more than 600 acres of land, including 29 parcels spanning over 580 acres in Waimea and nine other parcels at various beach resorts.
While Benioff has occasionally donated to Republicans, his political spending since 2011 has predominantly favored Democrats. For instance, he donated nearly $150,000 to the Democratic National Committee between 2011 and 2015, and contributed over $44,000 to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's PAC in 2018.
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