US President Donald Trump has officially pardoned Adam Kidan, a man who was previously sentenced in a casino ship business fraud case. The fraud in question saw Kidan and one of his business partners submit a fraudulent bid to acquire SunCruz Casinos. The ensuing dispute ended with the latter company’s founder getting killed by mobsters.
Kidan and His Associate Tricked Lenders
In 2000, Adam Kidan and business partner Jack Abramoff set out to acquire SunCruz – a now-defunct company that operated multiple casino ships and took players on “cruises to nowhere,” allowing them to gamble in international waters where US gambling laws do not apply.
Kidan and Abramoff had agreed to purchase SunCruz for $147.5 million, but were later found guilty of using a fake wire transfer to trick lenders into thinking that a $23 million down payment to SunCruz had been made. This had allowed the pair to secure a $60 million loan.
Kidan and Abramoff’s relationship with Boulis quickly deteriorated. The latter man was eventually accused of trying to stab Kidan with a pen. This caused Kidan to employ the security services of Anthony “Big Tony” Moscatiello and Anthony “Little Tony” Ferrari, two men believed to have been tied to Gambino mobsters.
After Boulis was shot to death in his car in 2001, prosecutors argued that the death was arranged by Moscatiello and Ferrari. This caused the two men to be sentenced to life in prison.
Kidan Was Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison
Kidan, who testified against the Tonys, was eventually sentenced to 70 months in prison for fraud, conspiracy to bribe officials, and tax evasion in relation to the SunCruz fraud. After his release in 2009, Kidan resumed his business endeavors and quickly created a successful staffing business. He later became a major supporter of the Republican Party.
Kidan has now been officially pardoned by President Trump. Although his sentence is long-over, the pardon will erase a $21.7 million federal restitution obligation related to the SunCruz case.