Former Comverse exec and current Kobi Alexander is in the process of establishing a scholarship fund in Namibia, worth $150 million in Namibian currency. The fund’s goal is it support top students to “further their studies in science and technology,” and translates to about $21,300 U.S. For those of you who like to read into things—perhaps with due cause—Alexander’s extradition hearing begins tomorrow. (Kobi moved his family to Namibia last year after his role in an alleged stock-option scheme was brought to light.)
We’re not quite sure how to feel about this. One the one hand, he’s supporting education and people in need. And that’s nice; humanity and all that. But on the other hand, this man is an alleged criminal; we don’t want his blood money (and we speak for the children of Namibia, too). That’s right—even we have standards. (We will continue, however, to support the Save A Whale with AIDS Foundation.)
FUGITIVE 'KOBI' AS NAMIBIA NURTURER [NYP]
Posted by Andree , Apr 24, 2007 11:04AM
Wouldn't you? Angelina is one of the most beautiful of women.
Posted by AJ , Apr 24, 2007 12:28PM
If this works and he gets asylum, I will rob my employer blind and split it 50/50 with the Namibian government. I think this is a great idea on their part.
Posted by Out of Windhoek , Apr 24, 2007 12:32PM
"Read into things"??! Hell, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to connect the dots here. I hope Kobi and his family enjoy the African sun, cheap lager, and Nando's famous Peri-Peri chicken while they can, because something tells me they're not staying in Nam for very long.
Posted by C , Apr 24, 2007 12:52PM
it's just like HealthSouth's Richard Scrushy 'finding the lord' during his securities fraud trial .. in his case, it worked given the trial was in Alabama .. probably worth the shot for ol' Kobi
Posted by Zbignew , Apr 24, 2007 3:15PM
I asked this before and nobody seemed to have an answer, but how is he paying for this? Either the Feds didn't do a very good job of tracking down and freezing his accounts, or he travels everywhere with a giant hockey bag full of hundreds rolled up tight with rubber bands.
Posted by anon , Apr 24, 2007 3:49PM
12:52, Scrushy's ploy was less succesful at his second trial on unrelated charges (convicted of bribery).