For much of his career, Kobi Alexander was a very successful entrepreneur. After all, he started a fast-growing tech company, Comverse Technology Inc.
But for the past two months, Alexander has been a fugitive from justice. He allegedly engaged in backdating of stock options while at Comverse and was the subject of federal charges for wire fraud, among other things.
In fact, Alexander was on the FBI's Most Wanted List. Interpol was also looking out for him. In an effort to protect his ill-gained cash, Alexander tried to wire $57 million of his assets to his accounts in Israel. But the FBI was able to put a freeze on things.
Alexander is more than just an businessman. He also served as an intelligence officer for the Israeli military.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as they say: his father was controversial too. He ran National Oil, where he made payoffs to officials in Africa.
But, according to a Wall Street Journal report today, Alexander was nabbed. He was in the African republic of Namibia. The extradition process will now begin.
Somehow, I think Alexander's two month journey is probably not going to help out his case with the Feds. Although it may make for a good book ...
Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook and operates InvestorOffering.com.
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