Melvin Floyd Sembler
Melvin Floyd Sembler is an American businessman, political fundraiser and former United States Ambassador.
He is the founder and former president of the Sembler Company which builds, renovates and manages shopping malls.
He has been a fundraiser for the Republican Party for close to 30 years and continues donating to this day. He was instrumental in the election of George H. W. Bush. He has been appointed United States ambassador to Australia and Nauru (1989 - 1993) and to Italy (2001 - 2005).
Sembler founded Straight Inc., a company which perpretrated itself to be providing a cure to drug addiction. Based upon its record of success, it received praise from Nancy Reagan and Princess Diana. However it has also been emboiled in allegations of extensive psychological abuse and torture, including sleep deprivation, denial of basic healthcare and food and 24 hour isolation. In 1983 a former attendee of Straight won a court judgement against the program. In 1990 another former attendee also won a judgement. Considering himself to be a political liability as his program was attacked with more vigor in the last few years, Sembler retired from his post of ambassador. He has failed to deny these accusations although his wife has, and has unsuccessfully tried to sue alleged victims of the program. The licence of Straight Inc. has been revoked on the grounds of "cruel and inhuman behavior modification".