Ameritrade founder Ricketts' Nebraska contribution worries watchdogs

By Michael Beckel

Wealthy donor Joe Ricketts' eleventh-hour investment in Nebraska primary winner could pay dividends.

Excerpts from this story referencing "Ameritrade":

"… mination.Ricketts, the founder of the Omaha-based online brokerage firm TD Ameritrade, was behind a $250,000 last-minute super PAC ad buy designed to boost Fisc …"

"… is about electing politicians that will benefit his bottom line and the TD Ameritrade lobbyists will know they have a likely champion if she's elected in Novemb …"

"… against a candidate.In addition to being the long-time chairman and CEO of Ameritrade, Ricketts is the patriarch of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs Major …"

"… nd responded to questions for this story.Kim Hillyer, a spokeswoman for TD Ameritrade, stressed that Ricketts retired from the company’s board of directors la …"

Donor profile: Joe Ricketts

By Reity O'Brien

Quick stats on the biggest financial backers of Election 2012.

Excerpts from this story referencing "Ameritrade":

"… n and Lt. Gov. Ricky Sheehy (2006) Corporate name: Hugo Enterprises / TD Ameritrade  Total spent on federal lobbying (2007-2012): $440,000 Lobbying iss …"

"… e morphed — through four decades of mergers and acquisitions — into TD Ameritrade, Inc., the world’s largest online brokerage. Though he retired from Amer …"

"… rade, Inc., the world’s largest online brokerage. Though he retired from Ameritrade’s board in 2011, Ricketts still owns roughly 9.5 percent of the company, …"