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{{short description|Convicted felon and entrepreneur}}
'''Omar S. Amanat''' is a ] ] and ] who has been profiled in '']'', '']'', and '']'', and is a frequent public speaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2001/02/19/296866/index.htm|title=Can't Keep A Good Day Trader Down Online brokers like Charles Schwab, E*Trade, and Ameritrade may be suffering, but day traders are still partying like it's 1999|publisher=FORTUNE Magazine|first=Nelson D.|last=Schwartz|date=February 19, 2001}}</ref> Named one of ]'s "Top Ten Most Influential Technologists", Amanat was a pioneer in the electronic brokerage industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alacrawiki.com/index.php?title=Omar_Amanat|title=Omar Amanat|publisher=Alacra Wiki|accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Omar Amanat
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: | image = Omar_Amanat_American_Entrepreneur_Portrait.png -->
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|08|15|df=y}}<ref name=sentenced>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/twilight-investor-sentenced-five-years-prison-fraud-case-2021-08-19|title='Twilight' investor sentenced to five years prison in fraud case|work=Reuters|last=Stempel|first=Jonathan|date=19 August 2021|access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>
| birth_place =
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} -->
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| other_names =
| occupation = Entrepreneur
| education = ]<ref name="newjerseyhills.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.newjerseyhills.com/busy-boonton-township-recreation-denville-pba-hosts-dance/article_a47fba6f-9aa2-5af9-9a98-65fc0be9cf72.html|title=Busy Boonton Township recreation, Denville PBA hosts dance|publisher=newjerseyhills.com|date=20 October 2005|access-date=17 July 2016|quote= This year, Omar Amanat, Class of 1990;...}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montville.net/page/2174|title=Hall of Fame / Welcome|publisher=montville.net|access-date=17 July 2016|quote=2005 Omar Amanat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813094929/http://www.montville.net/page/2174|archive-date=13 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| known_for =
}}


'''Omar Sharif Amanat''' is an American ], film producer, and investor in media, technology and hospitality companies.<ref name="fortune.com">{{cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2014/09/04/aman-resorts-nasty-battle-for-luxury-hotel-chain/|title=The Global Battle for the World's Most Exclusive Hotel Chain|date=4 September 2014|publisher=fortune.com|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref><br><ref name="fortune.com"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fraud-amanat-idUSKCN0ZT1ZX|title=New York entrepreneur Amanat indicted for fraud scheme|date=13 July 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=16 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/28/the-mystery-behind-wall-streets-wildest-party/|title=The Mystery Behind Wall Street's Wildest Party|last=Perman|first=Stacy|website=Fortune|access-date=16 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/12/05/kit-digital-fraud-probe-arrest/|title=New Arrest in Fraud Probe of Bankrupt Video Tech Firm|agency=Reuters|website=Fortune|access-date=16 July 2017|quote=...and Omar Amanat, an investor in media, finance and technology companies who is Irfan Amanat's brother.}}</ref> He was convicted in December 2017 of conspiracy in a scheme involving ].<ref name="conviction">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-26/ex-kit-ceo-tuzman-socialite-amanat-convicted-at-fraud-trial |title=Ex-KIT CEO, Socialite Convicted at Fraud Trial |publisher=Bloomberg|date=26 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-entrepreneurs-convicted-of-fraud-1514607455|title=Tech Entrepreneurs Convicted of Fraud |newspaper=]|date=29 December 2017 |access-date=30 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/huma-abedins-cousin-convicted-in-fraud-case-involving-fake-emails|title=Huma Abedin's cousin convicted in fraud case involving fake emails |publisher=]|author=Benjamin Brown |date=29 December 2017|access-date=30 December 2017}}</ref> and sentenced to 5 years after "a striking fall from power".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/omar-amanat-kaleil-isaza-tuzman-kit-digital-fraud-2017-12|title=Lawsuits, lies, and Colombian prisons: The downfall of two wildly successful tech entrepreneurs |website=] |author=Zoë Bernard |date=30 December 2017 |access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref>
⚫ ==Early life==

Born in ] to parents who had emigrated from ], Amanat was an athlete in school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicalmusicconsortium.com/ |title=Omar Amanat Bio |publisher=classicalmusicconsortium.com |date= |accessdate=2009-03-22}}</ref> He attended the ] and the ] undergraduate program where he later became part of the Wharton School's Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) faculty program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whartonfinanceconference.com/conf2003/p_oamanat.asp |title="Omar Amanat: Wharton School of Business" - Wharton Finance Conference, October 10th 2003 |publisher=Whartonfinanceconference.com |date=2003-10-10 |accessdate=2009-03-22}}</ref>
==Education==

Amanat grew up in ] and was educated at ].<ref name="newjerseyhills.com"/> He later enrolled at ] and transferred to the ].<ref name=Bloomberg1 />


==Career== ==Career==
He began his entrepreneurial career at Datek Online, one of the pioneers in online brokerage services, which was sold to ] for $1.3 billion. He left Datek to co-found CyberBlock and co-designed the trading platform ], which was acquired by ] in 2000 for $488 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2003/11/10/story7.html|title=Schwab affiliate moving: CyberTrader to leave Loop 360 for Research Park offices|publisher=Austin Business Journal|date=November 7, 2003|first=Mary Alice|last=Kaspar|accessdate=2007-08-29}}</ref>


He began at startup Datek Online<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/02/25/investing/q_tradescape/ |title=Street courts day trade firms |website=CNN Money|date=25 February 2000}}</ref> and afterwards he moved to Texas and partnered with ] on a prototype online trading system called Cyber-Block,<ref name="Business Week">{{cite web|title=Healthcare Providers and Services: Company Overview of Malaria No More|work=]|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=430125&privcapId=40485923&previousCapId=42368917&previousTitle=National%20Security%20Solutions%20Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010131002/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=430125&privcapId=40485923&previousCapId=42368917&previousTitle=National%20Security%20Solutions%20Inc|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2012}}</ref> which was acquired by ] for $488 million in 2000, before moving to New York to start Tradescape,<ref name="smartmoney">Matthew Goldstein '']''. 13 March 2000. Accessed 9 February 2011.</ref> of which he was the founder, chief executive and majority shareholder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/21/business/firm-to-offer-cash-for-stock-orders.html|title=Firm to Offer Cash for Stock Orders|date=21 February 2001|work=The New York Times|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> In 2002, ] acquired Tradescape for $276 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shareholder.com/common/edgar/1015780/1012870-02-3391/02-00.pdf|title=E*Trade Shareholder Filing: S.E.C 10-Q Quarterly Report|date=30 June 2002|publisher=shareholder.com}}</ref>
He then became the founder, CEO and majority shareholder of Tradescape Corporation, a next-generation brokerage and technology firm. It processed over 10% of ]'s daily trading volume and was one of the largest electronic brokerage firms in the United States (by trading volume) in 2002 when he sold it to ] for total consideration worth $280 million including $180 million in contingent consideration. This deal made him one of E*Trade's largest shareholders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shareholder.com/common/edgar/1015780/1012870-02-3391/02-00.pdf|format=PDF|title=E*Trade Shareholder Filing: S.E.C 10-Q Quarterly Report|date=June 30, 2002|publisher=shareholder.com}}</ref> Tradescape was named as one of the "Top 50 Private Companies" in the United States by Red Herring Magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2001_April_17/ai_73304494|publisher=Red Herring Magazine|title=Top 50 Public and Private Companies in the United States|date=April 19, 2001}}</ref>


===Entertainment industry===
Amanat sits on numerous boards including the Board of Trustees for the ], ], is a term member of the ], a Trustee of the ] and ] and was recently the Vice Chairman of the ], which was named one of the "5 Charities changing the face of Global Philanthropy" by ].


Amanat is the co-founder of Peak Group Holdings which is the largest shareholder of ] studio ], in which he holds a 20% ownership stake via Peak Group Holdings.<ref name="Summit"/> Brent Lang of '']'' called him "the most powerful person in Hollywood you've never heard of".<ref name="Summit">Brent Lang (14 March 2011). "" '']'' Accessed 5 August 2011.</ref>
Amanat recently began to explore using the power of film to achieve social change and co-founded a $200 million feature film company with a mission to "make films that will change the world" and also helped to create and is a founding board member of a $1 billion new Hollywood studio/production and distribution venture that produces and distributes 12 Hollywood feature films per year.
Summit was acquired by '']'' studio ] for $412.5 million and Peak became one of its largest shareholders,<ref name="Lions Gate acquires Summit">Alex Ben Block (13 January 2012). .</ref> with a 48% stake.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-summit-deal-merger-twilight-279401|title=Lionsgate Close to Deal to Buy Summit; Friedman and Wachsberger Likely to Remain|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=27 June 2017|language=en}}</ref>


He was the executive producer of the 2007 drama ] and the 2008 comedy drama '']''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/summit-investor-sues-brit-tabloids-166662|title=Summit Investor Sues Brit Tabloids for Calling Him 'Impostor' (Exclusive)|author=Alex Ben Block|work=]|date=10 March 2011|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2713368/|title=Omar Amanat|publisher=]|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> not including approximately 75 other films he financed via ] from 2007 to 2012.
After selling securities companies to industry giant ] in 2002 and becoming one of its largest shareholders, Amanat sued the company seeking $1.5 billion in additional compensation for missed payments and both sides claimed breach of contract among other claims.


==Media production== ===Aman Resorts===
Amanat was involved early on in ], the Muslim ] headed by ] which premiered in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/tvradio/030507_briefs.html |title=Bridges TV (May 7, 2003 ) |publisher=Sign On San Diego |date=2003-05-07 |accessdate=2009-03-22}}</ref><ref>(May 02, 2003)</ref> According to Amanat:<blockquote>
I realized that the only way to undo misconceptions was to create our own media forum from which our stories and culture would be shared with the world. Other cultural groups have gained acceptance and increased understanding through the forum of media. Why can't Muslims do the same?<ref name="aljazeerah">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2003%20News%20archives/May%202003%20News/3%20n/First%20American%20Muslim%20Television%20Channel%20Announced%20by%20Bridges%20Network..htm |title=News aljazeerah.info: First American Muslim Television Channel Announced by Bridges Network |publisher=Aljazeerah.info |date=2003-05-02 |accessdate=2009-03-22}}</ref>
</blockquote>


In February 2014, Amanat co-founded with ] a new venture known as Aman Resorts Group Limited (ARGL) backed by a consortium of investors led by ]. This new entity purchased luxury hotel and resort chain ] from ]{{failed verification|date=November 2022}} for $358 million.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wrathall|first1=Claire|title=Aman for all seasons|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/85627/aman-for-all-seasons.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005073009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/85627/aman-for-all-seasons.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 October 2015|newspaper=]|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref>
Also involved with producing films, Amanat was most recently an ], Co-Founder, and Founding Chairman of Groundswell Productions with ], which financed and produced two ] nominated films in 2009 including '']'' which received a nomination for ] (]) and '']'' which received 8 nominations including ], ] (]) and ] (]). He also Executive Produced with ] Founding President ], via his film company ] several socially conscious films including ''The Visitor'' and '']'' featuring ]. Other films Amanat was Executive Producer of or that his companies have helped to produce include 2008's '']'', '']'', and '']'' among other films. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2713368/|title=Omar Amanat|publisher=IMDB.com}}</ref>

In July 2014, Amanat filed suit in the High Court of London against ], claiming Doronin committed breaches of a shareholders' agreement and forced the unlawful ouster of Adrian Zecha as CEO. Amanat claimed the decision to remove Zecha did not have board approval. The ruling, by the High Court, which was reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, reinstated Zecha as CEO, which was viewed as a victory for Amanat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/london-court-rules-doronin-must-step-down-as-amanresorts-ceo-1405356659|title=London Court Rules Doronin Must Step Down as Amanresorts CEO - WSJ|work=]|date=14 July 2014 |access-date=20 January 2015|last1=Karmin |first1=Craig }}</ref> Two days later, Doronin filed a counterclaim in New York,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-real-estate-investor-doronin-sues-amanresorts-partner-1405624942|title=Russian Real Estate Investor Doronin Sues Amanresorts Partner|work=]|date=17 July 2014 |access-date=4 February 2015|last1=Karmin |first1=Craig }}</ref> but the judge ruled that the lawsuit would have to be decided in England. In July 2014, London's High Court permitted a board decision which replaced Zecha with Olivier Jolivet to stand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://luxuryhotelacquisitions.com/court-permits-aman-board-remove-ceo/|title=London's High Court Permits Aman Group's Board to Remove CEO|work=Luxury Hotel Acquisitions|access-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205022229/http://luxuryhotelacquisitions.com/court-permits-aman-board-remove-ceo/|archive-date=5 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2016 the High Court in London published an order which confirmed the settlement between Doronin and Amanat, ousting Amanat from the Aman Resorts ownership group.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/aman-resorts-owner-doronin-scores-legal-wins-in-long-running-dispute-1457983693|title=Aman Resorts Owner Doronin Scores Legal Wins in Long-Running Dispute|last=Rizzo|first=Lillian|date=14 March 2016|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=16 July 2017|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

==Litigation==

Amanat has been involved in a number of high-profile lawsuits during his career:
* Shortly after the acquisition of Tradescape by E*Trade, litigation commenced between MarketXT and E*Trade alleging fraud on the part of the other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law360.com/articles/11038/judge-oks-fraud-suits-in-e-trade-marketxt-spat|title=Judge OKs Fraud Suits In E-Trade, MarketXT Spat|author=Erin Marie Daly|publisher=Law 360|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref>
* Summit Entertainment withdrew and retracted its threat against Amanat that he had "misrepresented that he's involved in the ownership, management, decision-making, and operations".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2010/11/summit-fending-off-twilight-biz-imposter-81494/|title=Summit Threatens Litigation Over 'Twilight' "Misrepresentations" |magazine=Deadline|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> Relating to the same Amanat filed libel proceedings against British newspapers who called him an imposter in relation to his claims of involvement with Summit Entertainment, which led to them apologising, publishing a retraction and making payments to a charity of Amanat's choice.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/industry-us-media-summit-idUSTRE76D7R020110714|title=Summit investor Omar Amanat wins tabloid settlement|work=Reuters|author=Brent Lang|date=14 July 2011|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> Summit Entertainments's CEO and Chairman issued letters to Amanat confirming his ownership and control of a board seat.
* The disputes relating to the ownership and control of Aman Resorts have led to litigation in both New York<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-10/battle-for-aman-luxury-resorts-spills-over-into-new-york|title=Battle for Aman Luxury Resorts Spills Over Into New York|author=Tiffany Kary|publisher=Bloomberg|date=10 March 2016|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> and London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/359638/judge-turns-down-preliminary-claim-in-international-hotel-chain-battle|title=Judge turns down preliminary claim in international hotel chain battle|publisher=The Caterer|date=17 July 2015|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref>
* Amanat was also involved in lawsuits in connection with ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22699867.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911121614/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22699867.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2016 |title=MUSLIM TV NETWORK DEBUTED AMID LITIGATION |author=Jay Tokasz |newspaper=The Buffalo News |date=20 December 2004 |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref>

==Bankruptcy==

In 2004 a bankruptcy petition was lodged against Amanat.<ref name=Bankruptcy>{{cite magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2014/09/04/aman-resorts-nasty-battle-for-luxury-hotel-chain/|title=The global battle for the ultimate luxury hotel chain|magazine=]|access-date=15 July 2016}}</ref> The circumstances of the filing were highly unusual. '']'' reported the following transcript of Judge Alan Gropper:<ref name=Bankruptcy />

{{blockquote|You might certainly be interested in reading how Mr. Amanat started off his Chapter 7 case, which was absolutely extraordinary. He induced his chauffeur to file an involuntary petition against him on the theory that, well, in an involuntary he could get an automatic stay against a number of creditors who are going against him, but it wouldn't stop him from engaging in whatever transactions he wanted to ... I made no finding there that he had perjured himself ... on the first occasion that he appeared before this court. So I'm not saying I make any such finding now, but you can draw your own conclusions.}}

The bankruptcy petition was subsequently dismissed, as was a subsequent appeal against its dismissal by Amanat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/2ex1egnp6/new-york-southern-district-court/in-re-omar-sharif-amanat/|title=In Re: Omar Sharif Amanat|publisher=www.plainsite.org|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref> ''Fortune'' also reported that "efore the case was over, the bankruptcy judge, Gropper, found that Amanat executed fraudulent conveyances, deceived creditors, and backdated documents."<ref name=Bankruptcy />

==Arrest and conviction==

In July 2016 Amanat was arrested as part of the conspiracy case against former technology IPTV company ].<ref name=Arrest>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-13/omar-amanat-arrested-and-charged-as-kit-digital-case-widens |title=Omar Amanat Arrested and Charged as Kit Digital Case Widens |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=13 July 2016 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref><ref name=Arrest2>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-19/fraud-charges-cloud-entrepreneur-s-self-described-success-story|title=Fraud Charges Cloud Entrepreneur's Story of His Success |author1=Bob Van Voris |author2=Christian Berthelsen |publisher=Bloomberg|date=19 July 2016|access-date=20 July 2016}}</ref> Prosecutors asserted that Amanat with ], Stephen E. Maiden and an unnamed individual used an investment vehicle controlled by Tuzman to purchase KIT Digital shares.<ref name=Arrest /> Maiden was sentenced in February 2015 to seven years in prison on a separate matter;<ref name=Arrest /> Tuzman served time in prison in Colombia and was extradited to the U.S. to face charges.<ref></ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-20/for-u-s-dot-com-star-locked-up-abroad-is-as-scary-as-it-sounds|title=The Man Who Went From Harvard to Goldman to Colombian Jail|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=20 November 2015 |publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="Reuters arrest">{{cite news|last1=Raymond|first1=Nate|title=New York entrepreneur Amanat indicted for fraud scheme|url=http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0ZT1ZX|website=Reuters|date=13 July 2016 |agency=Reuters|access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref> Former Chief Financial Officer Robin Smyth pleaded guilty to criminal charges in March 2016 and has been assisting prosecutors.<ref name=Arrest2 /> Amanat previously sued Tuzman asserting breach of contract. The fraud trial commenced in October 2017.<ref name=Bloomberg1>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-30/tech-entrepreneur-s-trial-is-biggest-battle-of-a-glossy-career |title=Tech Entrepreneur's Trial Is Biggest Battle of a Glossy Career |author=Erik Larson and Christian Berthelsen |publisher=] |date=30 October 2017 |access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref> The prosecution accused Omanat of "lies upon lies" in their opening statements in relation to the fraud allegations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-30/tech-entrepreneur-s-trial-is-biggest-battle-of-a-glossy-career |title=Feds Tell Of Lies Upon Lies As KIT Digital Trial Opens |publisher=Law 360|author=Stewart Bishop |date=30 October 2017 |access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref> Defense lawyers accused the prosecution's star witness Stephen E Maiden of having high-ranking DOJ ties and of losing most of his funds money before investing in Kit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-06/doj-official-s-alleged-tips-to-ponzi-schemer-shown-in-n-y-trial |title=Ponzi Schemer's DOJ Ties Might Hurt Credibility at Trial |publisher=Bloomberg |date=6 November 2017}}</ref>

In December 2017, Amanat was found guilty of defrauding Kit investors along with his associate ], the former KIT Digital CEO. Tuzman and Amanat had been accused of conspiring to inflate KIT's trading volume and share price between 2008 and 2011 in an effort to hide their devastating losses. The verdict came after 6 weeks of trial. Three government witnesses who pleaded guilty, including two former KIT executives and a disgraced hedge-fund founder, told jurors of related frauds being directed by Tuzman and Amanat in an effort to hide their disastrous investment losses.<ref name="conviction" />

On 19 August 2021, Amanat was sentenced to five years in federal prison and fined $175,000. The 44 months already served pre-sentencing would be credited toward this sentence.<ref name=sentenced/>

==Philanthropy==

Amanat has been a board member of ], ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/07/06/blood-stained-hands|title=Blood-Stained Hands|date=7 July 2005|publisher=hrw.org|access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malarianomore.org/assets/2011%20990%20Full.pdf|title=Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax|publisher=malarianomore.org|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317133829/https://www.malarianomore.org/assets/2011%20990%20Full.pdf|archive-date=17 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ] and the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stage.ez.adcouncil.org/About-Us/Committees/Advisory-Committee|title=Advisory Committee|access-date=17 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905090801/http://stage.ez.adcouncil.org/About-Us/Committees/Advisory-Committee|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and worked as a spokesman for ] before its debut,<ref>{{cite news |title=Muslim TV Network Debuted Amid Litigation |author=Jay Tokasz |newspaper=] |date=20 December 2004 |page=B.3}}</ref> where he advocated for Muslims to undo negative misperceptions of themselves in media.<ref name="aljazeerah"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828174747/http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2003%20News%20archives/May%202003%20News/3%20n/First%20American%20Muslim%20Television%20Channel%20Announced%20by%20Bridges%20Network..htm |date=28 August 2008 }}</ref> He co-founded a film fund affiliated with the ] called the ] Media Fund<ref name="Oprah">Oprah Winfrey {{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/Global-Philanthropist-Omar-Amanat |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122140232/http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/Global-Philanthropist-Omar-Amanat |archive-date=22 January 2011 }}</ref> Amanat commissioned ] to research the physiological effects on minorities who watch images of violence being perpetrated on fellow minorities.<ref name="ten young visionaries">Ten Young Visionaries {{cite web|url=http://islamicamagazine.com/?p%3D722 |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329104356/http://islamicamagazine.com/?p=722 |archive-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name="alliance of cilivizations research">{{cite web|title=Research Base for the High-level Group Report Analysis on Media|publisher=UN Alliance of Civilizations Research|url=http://www.unaoc.org/repository/thematic_media.pdf}}</ref>

He has been an executive producer of films including '']'',<ref name="imdb">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2713368/|title=Omar Amanat|website=] |access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> '']'',<ref name="imdb"/> '']'',<ref name="imdb"/> and '']''.<ref name="imdb"/>

⚫ ==Personal life==
Amanat is the older brother of comic book editor ]. He has three children with ex-wife ],<ref name="fortune.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ihot.cz/celebrity/helena-houdova/14894/|title=Helena Houdová: Jejího exmanžela zatkla policie pro rozsáhlé podvody - iHOT.cz|publisher=ihot.cz|access-date=17 July 2016|quote=Potkala ale bohatého podnikatele Omara Amanata, kterého si vzala, porodila mu tři děti, dala se na raw stravu a po rozpadu manželství se zhroutila.|language=cs}}</ref><ref name=Bloomberg1 /> and six children in total.<ref name=sentenced/> He is the first cousin of ]'s longtime aide ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-30/tech-entrepreneur-s-trial-is-biggest-battle-of-a-glossy-career|title=Tech Entrepreneur's Trial Is Biggest Battle of Career|date=30 October 2017|publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|2713368}}


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Latest revision as of 03:16, 10 November 2024

Convicted felon and entrepreneur

Omar Amanat
Born (1972-08-15) 15 August 1972 (age 52)
NationalityAmerican
EducationMontville High School
OccupationEntrepreneur

Omar Sharif Amanat is an American entrepreneur, film producer, and investor in media, technology and hospitality companies.
He was convicted in December 2017 of conspiracy in a scheme involving KIT Digital. and sentenced to 5 years after "a striking fall from power".

Education

Amanat grew up in Montville, New Jersey and was educated at Montville High School. He later enrolled at Franklin and Marshall College and transferred to the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

He began at startup Datek Online and afterwards he moved to Texas and partnered with Philip Berber on a prototype online trading system called Cyber-Block, which was acquired by Charles Schwab for $488 million in 2000, before moving to New York to start Tradescape, of which he was the founder, chief executive and majority shareholder. In 2002, E*Trade acquired Tradescape for $276 million.

Entertainment industry

Amanat is the co-founder of Peak Group Holdings which is the largest shareholder of The Twilight Saga studio Summit Entertainment, in which he holds a 20% ownership stake via Peak Group Holdings. Brent Lang of The Wrap called him "the most powerful person in Hollywood you've never heard of". Summit was acquired by Hunger Games studio Lionsgate for $412.5 million and Peak became one of its largest shareholders, with a 48% stake.

He was the executive producer of the 2007 drama The Visitor and the 2008 comedy drama Smart People not including approximately 75 other films he financed via Summit Entertainment from 2007 to 2012.

Aman Resorts

In February 2014, Amanat co-founded with Adrian Zecha a new venture known as Aman Resorts Group Limited (ARGL) backed by a consortium of investors led by Vladislav Doronin. This new entity purchased luxury hotel and resort chain Aman Resorts from DLF for $358 million.

In July 2014, Amanat filed suit in the High Court of London against Vladislav Doronin, claiming Doronin committed breaches of a shareholders' agreement and forced the unlawful ouster of Adrian Zecha as CEO. Amanat claimed the decision to remove Zecha did not have board approval. The ruling, by the High Court, which was reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, reinstated Zecha as CEO, which was viewed as a victory for Amanat. Two days later, Doronin filed a counterclaim in New York, but the judge ruled that the lawsuit would have to be decided in England. In July 2014, London's High Court permitted a board decision which replaced Zecha with Olivier Jolivet to stand.

In March 2016 the High Court in London published an order which confirmed the settlement between Doronin and Amanat, ousting Amanat from the Aman Resorts ownership group.

Litigation

Amanat has been involved in a number of high-profile lawsuits during his career:

  • Shortly after the acquisition of Tradescape by E*Trade, litigation commenced between MarketXT and E*Trade alleging fraud on the part of the other.
  • Summit Entertainment withdrew and retracted its threat against Amanat that he had "misrepresented that he's involved in the ownership, management, decision-making, and operations". Relating to the same Amanat filed libel proceedings against British newspapers who called him an imposter in relation to his claims of involvement with Summit Entertainment, which led to them apologising, publishing a retraction and making payments to a charity of Amanat's choice. Summit Entertainments's CEO and Chairman issued letters to Amanat confirming his ownership and control of a board seat.
  • The disputes relating to the ownership and control of Aman Resorts have led to litigation in both New York and London.
  • Amanat was also involved in lawsuits in connection with Bridges TV.

Bankruptcy

In 2004 a bankruptcy petition was lodged against Amanat. The circumstances of the filing were highly unusual. Fortune reported the following transcript of Judge Alan Gropper:

You might certainly be interested in reading how Mr. Amanat started off his Chapter 7 case, which was absolutely extraordinary. He induced his chauffeur to file an involuntary petition against him on the theory that, well, in an involuntary he could get an automatic stay against a number of creditors who are going against him, but it wouldn't stop him from engaging in whatever transactions he wanted to ... I made no finding there that he had perjured himself ... on the first occasion that he appeared before this court. So I'm not saying I make any such finding now, but you can draw your own conclusions.

The bankruptcy petition was subsequently dismissed, as was a subsequent appeal against its dismissal by Amanat. Fortune also reported that "efore the case was over, the bankruptcy judge, Gropper, found that Amanat executed fraudulent conveyances, deceived creditors, and backdated documents."

Arrest and conviction

In July 2016 Amanat was arrested as part of the conspiracy case against former technology IPTV company KIT Digital. Prosecutors asserted that Amanat with Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, Stephen E. Maiden and an unnamed individual used an investment vehicle controlled by Tuzman to purchase KIT Digital shares. Maiden was sentenced in February 2015 to seven years in prison on a separate matter; Tuzman served time in prison in Colombia and was extradited to the U.S. to face charges. Former Chief Financial Officer Robin Smyth pleaded guilty to criminal charges in March 2016 and has been assisting prosecutors. Amanat previously sued Tuzman asserting breach of contract. The fraud trial commenced in October 2017. The prosecution accused Omanat of "lies upon lies" in their opening statements in relation to the fraud allegations. Defense lawyers accused the prosecution's star witness Stephen E Maiden of having high-ranking DOJ ties and of losing most of his funds money before investing in Kit.

In December 2017, Amanat was found guilty of defrauding Kit investors along with his associate Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, the former KIT Digital CEO. Tuzman and Amanat had been accused of conspiring to inflate KIT's trading volume and share price between 2008 and 2011 in an effort to hide their devastating losses. The verdict came after 6 weeks of trial. Three government witnesses who pleaded guilty, including two former KIT executives and a disgraced hedge-fund founder, told jurors of related frauds being directed by Tuzman and Amanat in an effort to hide their disastrous investment losses.

On 19 August 2021, Amanat was sentenced to five years in federal prison and fined $175,000. The 44 months already served pre-sentencing would be credited toward this sentence.

Philanthropy

Amanat has been a board member of Human Rights Watch, Malaria No More, The Acumen Fund and the Ad Council and worked as a spokesman for Bridges TV before its debut, where he advocated for Muslims to undo negative misperceptions of themselves in media. He co-founded a film fund affiliated with the United Nations called the Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund Amanat commissioned Harvard Medical School to research the physiological effects on minorities who watch images of violence being perpetrated on fellow minorities.

He has been an executive producer of films including The Visitor, Darfur Now, Smart People, and The Mysteries of Pittsburgh.

Personal life

Amanat is the older brother of comic book editor Sana Amanat. He has three children with ex-wife Helena Houdová, and six children in total. He is the first cousin of Hillary Clinton's longtime aide Huma Abedin.

References

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  2. ^ "Busy Boonton Township recreation, Denville PBA hosts dance". newjerseyhills.com. 20 October 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2016. This year, Omar Amanat, Class of 1990;...
  3. "Hall of Fame / Welcome". montville.net. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016. 2005 Omar Amanat
  4. ^ "The Global Battle for the World's Most Exclusive Hotel Chain". fortune.com. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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  6. Perman, Stacy. "The Mystery Behind Wall Street's Wildest Party". Fortune. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  7. "New Arrest in Fraud Probe of Bankrupt Video Tech Firm". Fortune. Reuters. Retrieved 16 July 2017. ...and Omar Amanat, an investor in media, finance and technology companies who is Irfan Amanat's brother.
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  9. "Tech Entrepreneurs Convicted of Fraud". The Wall Street Journal. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  10. Benjamin Brown (29 December 2017). "Huma Abedin's cousin convicted in fraud case involving fake emails". Fox News. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
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  13. "Street courts day trade firms". CNN Money. 25 February 2000.
  14. "Healthcare Providers and Services: Company Overview of Malaria No More". Bloomberg Business Week. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012.
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  18. ^ Brent Lang (14 March 2011). "Summit Investor's Libel Suit Reveals Omar Amanat's Control" The Wrap Accessed 5 August 2011.
  19. Alex Ben Block (13 January 2012). .
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  24. Karmin, Craig (14 July 2014). "London Court Rules Doronin Must Step Down as Amanresorts CEO - WSJ". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
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  27. Rizzo, Lillian (14 March 2016). "Aman Resorts Owner Doronin Scores Legal Wins in Long-Running Dispute". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
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  30. Brent Lang (14 July 2011). "Summit investor Omar Amanat wins tabloid settlement". Reuters. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  31. Tiffany Kary (10 March 2016). "Battle for Aman Luxury Resorts Spills Over Into New York". Bloomberg. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  32. "Judge turns down preliminary claim in international hotel chain battle". The Caterer. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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  47. News aljazeerah.info: First American Muslim Television Channel Announced by Bridges Network Archived 28 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  48. Oprah Winfrey "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  49. Ten Young Visionaries "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  52. "Helena Houdová: Jejího exmanžela zatkla policie pro rozsáhlé podvody - iHOT.cz" (in Czech). ihot.cz. Retrieved 17 July 2016. Potkala ale bohatého podnikatele Omara Amanata, kterého si vzala, porodila mu tři děti, dala se na raw stravu a po rozpadu manželství se zhroutila.
  53. "Tech Entrepreneur's Trial Is Biggest Battle of Career". Bloomberg. 30 October 2017.

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