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Who Is Lev Leviev
He is a 51 year-old Israeli who made billions with his African
diamond
mines. Now, he is buying New York real estate, theme parks,
7/11s, and gas stations.
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Lev's
Humble Beginnings
He was born in Russia. He
later emigrated to Israel as a teenager, where he was a diamond
polisher.
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Lev Goes
To Africa
He makes a fortune in the
diamond mines of war-torn Africa before turning his sights on the
United States.
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Suspected Of Financing Death Squads
A
BBC report of helping to
finance rebels waging a civil war in that country with profits from
so-called "blood diamonds." Leviev has denied the accusations, telling
interviewers his diamonds are "conflict free."
This year, a security company contracted by Leviev was accused of
human rights violations in Angola, including torture, sexual abuse and
assassinations, according to a report in New York magazine.
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Lev Runs A
Mail Order Bride Enterprise
He is the father of nine children. He and his wife, Olga, operate a
matchmaking service for Bukharian Jews called Lev Ehad, or One Heart.
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Leviev's latest obsession is pricey real estate. Africa Israel has
purchased more than $1 billion worth of high-profile buildings in
Manhattan this year, and is building a casino hotel and shopping mall
in Las Vegas.
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He Buys The Hard Rock Theme Park
This Israeli/Russian owns it, but it is paid for with bonds
underwritten by Dean Witter and bought by American pensions. Izzie
Goodwin is Hard Rock's CEO.
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ADL Says He Is Big Into Charities
"Basically, he does good work," Joel Golovensky, the former
director of the Israel office of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League,
said of Leviev in a 2002 interview.
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Lev Breaks Into The Hampton's Crowd
NewYork 'Social Diary' has
him mingling with Amnon Bar-Tur,and real estate developer Ziel
Feldman.
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Friend To The Stars
He bought the exclusive Apthorp buiding, is a favorite among
television and film celebrities. He met Robert DeNiro, and they are
said to be business partners.
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