Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
--- Begin Message --- Title: Appendix to Adnan Khashoggi's Links to 911 Terrorists XI -Caveat Lector- Appendix to Adnan Khashoggi's
Links to 911 Terrorists XI
Re: Hank Asher of DataBase/ChoicePoint
Copyright 2004 Sun-Sentinel Company
Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Compliments of Lois Battuello
July 16, 2004 Friday Broward Metro Edition
SECTION: BUSINESS; Pg. 1D
LENGTH: 589 words
HEADLINE: BOCA'S SEISINT SOLD IN $775 MILLION DEAL
BYLINE: Ian Katz Business Writer
BODY: Life keeps getting better for Hank Asher.
As founder and a major shareholder of Seisint Inc., a Boca Raton company that makes a counter-terrorism computer program, Asher will make about $250 million from the sale of Seisint to LexisNexis, a subsidiary of information services giant Reed Elsevier Group. Started in 1998, Seisint now has more than 300 employees, most of them in the Boca Raton office. The company also has offices in London and in Reston, Va.
The $775 million deal, announced Wednesday, culminates a remarkable comeback for Asher, a onetime cocaine smuggler who now dedicates much of his time and money to cancer research.
"The sale makes me feel great about the fact that my inventions will be utilized in responsible, large-scale and important ways," Asher said. "I believe in doing good and doing well. Both have happened."
Asher admits to having smuggled cocaine into the United States during an eight-month period more than 20 years ago. He was never charged with a crime, but a cloud of negative publicity has hung over his head for years, even prompting his resignation from Seisint's board last year.
Asher has tried to make up for his misdeeds. He has poured millions of dollars into his JARI Research Foundation for cancer research. Asked if he plans anything entrepreneurial following the sale of Seisint, he said, "I think everything I do from here on in will be philanthropic."
Asher did say, however, that he would also do some fishing in the South Pacific from his 100-foot boat, whose satellite equipment allows Asher to communicate as if he were at home in Boca Raton.
Ironically, the company that will more than double Asher's net worth will also ensure that he never escapes his drug-smuggling past. LexisNexis databases are used by most major U.S. newspapers and magazines for research. Entering "Hank Asher" and "drug" brings up about 100 articles.
A Seisint database tool called Matrix has grabbed the attention of the Bush administration. Matrix, which Asher showed off to Vice President Dick Cheney and the heads of the FBI and Homeland Security during a visit to the White House last year, can quickly analyze data on millions of people. Law enforcement officials use it to compile lists of possible terrorists.
"The tools and technologies that were developed by Seisint because of 9-11 should prove to be invaluable to Lexis and to national security," Asher said.
However, civil libertarian groups have complained that it is an invasion of privacy.
Another Seisint product, Accurint, gives online access of public records to help government agencies and businesses with due diligence, identity and pre-employment screening.
Reed Elsevier said in a statement that Seisint's revenues are projected to grow more than 40 percent this year, to $115 million.
Seisint officials would not comment on the future of the company. Executives from Reed Elsevier were unavailable for comment.
"I believe it was a fair price to us, but an extraordinary deal for Lexis," Asher said. "When they open Seisint's products up to their distribution, I believe they will immediately more than double the current sales of Seisint and more than triple the profits. This makes Seisint the deal of the century for Lexis."
Asked how much he will make from the deal, Asher confirmed that the number is around $250 million. But he quickly added, "I don't like to talk about it. It sounds like I'm bragging."
Ian Katz can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 954-356-4664.
www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
--- End Message ---
