ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- A diplomat who raised millions of dollars for Republican candidates has died in St. Petersburg.
Developer Mel Sembler became one of the nation;s biggest Republican fundraisers, and played a major role in bringing the GOP convention to Tampa in 2012. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to Australia and Italy, and strongly supported Israel and Jewish causes.
When one of Sembler's sons was caught smoking marijuana, he co-founded a juvenile drug treatment program called Straight, Inc. that was shut down in 1993 after several lawsuits from former clients.
Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott says Florida and America are better today because of Sembler.
Photo: Getty Images (2016)