Bain Capital Wants Distance From Retired Partner Who Argues for Inequality May 4, 2012, 5:49 pm Bain Capital, the private equity firm founded by Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, would like to clear something up. The views of its retired partner Edward Conard, a Romney friend and campaign donor, do not represent the views of Bain Capital, the company said in a statement issued on Friday. Mr. Conard, also known for his $1 million contribution to a "super PAC" supporting Mr. Romney, is in the news for a new book about inequality. In it, Mr. Conard argues that the middle class would benefit from even greater levels of income inequality than exist today - that society benefits when those who take risks, like bankers and private equity executives, achieve enormous rewards. A statement issued by the company on Friday suggests that Bain doesn't necessarily agree with this view: Ed Conard retired from Bain Capital in 2007 as one of over 50 managing directors, and he has no present role with our firm. The views he expresses in his book are his own. The personal views of one former employee do not reflect the views of our 900 Bain Capital team members who work every day to grow companies and build businesses. For example, Bain Capital and our employees are proud of our commitment to the communities in which they live and work, and they support hundreds of charities and serve on over 75 charitable boards. The firm has used similar language when it comes to distancing itself from Mr. Romney, whose career buying and selling companies as a former Bain executive during the 1990s has drawn intense scrutiny on the campaign trail.