Adam Kidan
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This biographical article is written like a résumé. Please help improve it by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (September 2010) |
Adam Kidan is an American businessman, the former owner of SunCruz Casinos and former president of Atlantic & Pacific Mattress Co.[1][2] He was one of lobbyist Jack Abramoff's business partners, and became a national figure when his involvement in one of Abramoff's illegal lobbying ventures came to light.
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[edit] Early life
Kidan attended John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, New York. He went on to George Washington University, and received a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School where he received the American Jurisprudence Award in Legal Writing and Research. He was also highly active in the national office of College Republicans.[3]
[edit] Political activities
Kidan campaigned for George H.W. Bush as Chairman of Young Professionals for Bush and served as New York Co-Chair of Youth For Reagan Bush 84. He later went into the bagel business, opening two stores in New York resort community of the Hamptons while he was practicing law. Kidan also founded a Dial-A-Mattress franchise in Washington, D.C. in the 1990s, which served the White House.[4]
Kidan served as the Chairman of the District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce PAC for two terms, as the Vice Chairman of Greater District of Columbia Cares, and on the boards of the Washington Performing Arts Society, Laurel Regional Hospital, The Greater Washington Urban League and as Co-Chairman of District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams' transition team. He was then appointed by Williams to serve on the Work Force Investment Council. Kidan also served as a delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. He was also a member of the Princeton Club of New York and the Economic Club of Washington.
Kidan currently advises companies on mergers and acquisitions.
[edit] SunCruz
In 2005 Adam Kidan pleaded guilty, alongside Abramoff, to fraud charges in relation to his 2000 purchase of SunCruz, a casino cruise line.[3][5][6][7] He served 35 months in prison.[8]
[edit] Witness
In 2010, Kidan was subpoenaed to testify in the conspiracy trial of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. [8] He is also slated as a prosecution witness in the Gus Boulis murder trial. [8]
[edit] Fictional portrayals
Kidan was portrayed by Jon Lovitz in the 2010 film Casino Jack.
[edit] References
- ^ Heather Salerno (August 25, 1997). "Dial-A-Mattress Adds an 'S' for Showrooms; Putting Some Bounce In Sales With Option To Try Before Buying". The Washington Post.
- ^ DON OLDENBURG (April 26, 1998). "Couple lose sleep over mattress, can't get money back". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ a b Susan Schmidt and James V. Grimaldi (May 1, 2005). "Untangling a Lobbyist's Stake in a Casino Fleet;With Millions of Dollars Unaccounted for, Another Federal Investigation Targets Abramoff". The Washington Post.
- ^ John McCaslin (February 17, 1995). "Part A; NATION; INSIDE THE BELTWAY; Pg. A5". The Washington Times.
- ^ Jessica Wehrman (December 16, 2005). "Man praised by Ney pleads guilty to fraud charges". Dayton Daily News.
- ^ "How scheming lobbyist operated in Seattle firm". Seattle Times. February 7, 2006.
- ^ ANDY SOLTIS (January 5, 2006). "LOBBY MOB-HIT LINK; ABRAMOFF GUILTY OF CASINO-BOAT FRAUD TIED TO TYCOON MURDER". The New York Post.
- ^ a b c Star witness Adam Kidan and Bacardi lobbyist to testify in Texas conspiracy trial of Tom DeLay Broward Bulldog, NOVEMBER 4, 2010
