Young Klein: "I'm going to stay away from government work."

Some describe California stem cell chairman Robert Klein as a "czar." Then there are others who say he is "a tireless worker who believes nothing is impossible, but add that his financial packages tend to be complicated and optimistic."

While the latter description dates back to the 1980s in a Fresno Bee article, it could well describe him today. So could the description "czar," at least by some perspectives. Fortune magazine recently characterized Klein as a top-notch salesman as well as "manic" and "relentless."

Klein is the driving force behind the stem cell agency, but we have yet to see a first-rate profile of the man that includes warts as well as the usual complimentary material from his friends and supporters. Such profiles are difficult and time consuming and don't often appear in the mainstream media. For example, they would have to include a look at his business arrangements over the last 20 or so years and any lawsuits involving them.

But who Klein is and his track record are fundamental to understanding CIRM.

Some of his history can be found in this article from the 1980s in the Fresno Bee, published in the city where Klein's father was city manager. One quote from it: "Bob has relationships with everybody. I mean, he's on every side of every transaction. Every time I've bumped into him he's got a number of levels of involvement.-- Preston R. Miller, partner, Goldman Sachs & Co., underwriter for Fresno County bond."

Another quote from the story (the last two paragraphs): "Klein acknowledged that lobbying on behalf of the borrowers created a conflict of interest, but stressed, 'It was a fully disclosed conflict.'

'In the future,' he said, 'I'm going to stay away from government work.'"

The piece is murky and convoluted but is worth slogging through if you want one reporter's perspective on Klein's business dealings. In this ancient affair, he seemed to be pushing the envelope on conflicts of interest, based on the Fresno Bee's reporting.

The Fresno Bee article was made available courtesy of the Etopia Media News Networks, which has done substantial reporting on the California stem cell agency.