MACON, Ga. — Greg Lindberg wants to build the world's largest COVID-19 mask factory in Macon -- if he can stay out of federal prison.
But in a character-reference letter to a judge, a business associate called Lindberg "generous, magnanimous, upstanding, fair-minded and incredibly brilliant."
He also wrote that Lindberg wants to build a massive PPE plant in Macon. He would call it the USA Mask Company and employ "minority ex-cons."
Stephen Adams, the executive director of the Macon-Bibb Industrial Development Authority, declined to comment on whether they've heard from Lindberg.
He said they often have preliminary talks with developers and vet them thoroughly, but maintain confidentiality until a deal is complete.
They said Lindberg, 48, is the founder and chairman of Eli Global LLC and the owner of a second company, Global Bankers Insurance Group.
They say Lindberg and three others promised millions in campaign contributions to North Carolina's insurance commissioner in exchange for favorable regulatory decisions.
In a news release, his attorney, Brandon McCarthy wrote that Lindberg committed no crime, and he expects that the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
He wrote, "A political contribution is not a crime. Seeking fair regulation is not a crime."
Dozens of people wrote letters of support to the federal judge before Lindberg was sentenced.
They included friends, employees, his bodyguard, his girlfriend, and a woman serving as surrogate mother for Lindberg and his girlfriend.
That's where Ronny Vogel came in.
Vogel's letter to federal judge Max Cogburn describes himself as CFO of Assets America, a Seattle commercial-banking and brokerage firm.
He describes Lindberg as both a client and a friend.
"....Mr. Lindberg, personally I call him Greg, is one of the most generous, magnanimous, upstanding, fairminded, and incredibly brilliant people that I have ever met in my 60 years of living on this planet!" writes Vogel.
He adds, "Right now, Mr. Lindberg is putting together a mask-making manufacturing firm, The USA Mask CompanyTM, that will most assuredly become the USA’s, and within a few years the world’s, largest mask manufacturer with over 1 billion N95 masks made per year (by EOY 2021). The facility will be based out of Macon, GA with over 2.1 million square feet and Mr. Lindberg will employ minority ex-cons from the local community.
This amazing manufacturing plant will most probably become one of the USA’s Strategic PPE (personal protection equipment) Reserves.
This new Lindberg business will produce made in the USA PPE, it will provide countless jobs to the local Macon, GA community and to persons in great need of such jobs. We are excited, encouraged and highly confident that these jobs will help to drastically reduce the recidivism rate of these minority ex-cons."
13WMAZ also reached out to Lindberg's media spokesman via GregLindberg.com for more information about the proposed project; they have not responded.
However, Vogel has no doubts about Lindberg's ability to make it happen: "Mr. Lindberg’s words, statements and handshake are as solid as steel or in his case, gold -- he has the Midas touch for sure."
While Vogel's letter doesn't describe a site for the proposed plant, the size -- 2.1 million square feet -- seems to match the former Brown & Williamson plant in east Macon, which has been vacant since 2006.
The site on Weaver Road is valued at just over $6.5 million, according to county tax records.
Adams also declined to comment on whether Lindberg had shown interest in the Brown & Williamson plant.
He said the massive complex has been well-maintained and they hear from several potential developers each year. He's confident that they'll eventually place a new company there.
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