Giuliani's private ventures have mixed record

The former New York mayor told reporters that his newest business venture, called Bio-ONE, would swiftly eliminate deadly anthrax from a tabloid newspaper office. The site still stood padlocked, more than 2 1/2 years after the worst biological terrorism attack in U.S. history.

"You will see me walk through those doors," pledged Giuliani, who is now seeking the Republican presidential nomination.

But Giuliani never entered the building.

Health authorities did not lift the quarantine until February 2007 -- long after Bio-ONE had quit the cleanup in a dispute over how to disinfect photos of Bigfoot and other tabloid targets. A rival company was hired to finish the job.

The episode left local officials disappointed.

"I figured the home of the National Enquirer was going to be the home of a national hero," said Steven Abrams, Boca Raton's mayor. "That obviously didn't happen."

The case marks a little-known setback in Giuliani's high-powered business career. He has earned tens of millions of dollars over the last six years from speeches, investments and business deals. But he also has foundered at times, despite his political firepower.

Now his once-promising White House bid is in trouble. After near-bottom rankings in every electoral contest so far, Giuliani is staking his candidacy on Tuesday's Florida primary. His campaign probably cannot survive a loss here.

Giuliani's celebrity as a leader who rallied New York after Sept. 11 has been key to both his past business success and his current political ambitions.

In 2001, his last year in office, Giuliani claimed a net worth of about $1 million. In 2006, according to campaign records he filed last summer, he reported more than $17 million in income and about $50 million in stocks, business interests, real estate and other assets.

He earned $11.4 million that year giving speeches to trade conferences, business associations, schools and other groups. He delivered hundreds of such speeches over the last six years, including at least 30 overseas, charging fees of $100,000 to $300,000 each.

The topic rarely varied. As the keynote speaker for the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Assn.'s annual meeting in Boca Raton in March 2005, Giuliani focused on "leadership during crises," especially his own role during New York's "darkest hour," according to the group.