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The story detailed how the Outback Steakhouse chain and its chief officers gave $94,000 to the 1994 campaign of Republican congressional candidate Mark Sharpe, who was running again in 1996. Outback's support helped freeze out other Republican candidates for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Sam Gibbons. The story found the following: Outback officials recruited franchisees throughout the country to give money to Sharpe; these franchisees, vendors and spouses didn't give money to any other candidates' the identities of the Outback-related contributors weren't disclosed in campaign finance reports. (June 30, 1996)