Charles Kushner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles Kushner is a New Jersey real estate magnate and a major donor to Democratic politicians, most notably to Governor of New Jersey Jim McGreevey. On August 19, 2004, he pleaded guilty to tax violations and charges related to witness tampering. The witness tampering charges dealt with an incident in which Kushner tried to use a prostitute in a blackmail scheme. The plea deal does not require Kushner to cooperate with investigators, however.
In 2004, New York University and Kushner Properties announced that the University has signed a 15-year lease for three floors, comprising 75,000 square feet of contiguous space, in the historic Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood. Charles Kushner, president of Kushner Companies and a trustee of NYU, said, “(His) Puck Building and NYU are natural partners, and we are excited by the University’s choice.”[1]
According to The Boston Globe, Charles gave Harvard University $2.5 million so his son, Jared Kushner, would get into Harvard as an undergraduate. According to his high school guidance counselor at the Frisch School, Jared did not have the grades to get in on his own[2]. Jared Kushner is now attending New York University School of Law, and at 25 years old has recently bought the New York Observer, a popular daily among New York's well educated and elite.[3] The younger Kushner made his fortune in real estate working with his father.
Charles Kushner is also well known for his charitable donations to Jewish organizations.
Kushner sponsored the work visa for Golan Cipel, Governor McGreevey's alleged lover. It was suspected that this relationship was used to blackmail the governor.
Kushner also funded the building of the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy (Pre-K through 8) and the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School (grades 9-12), two connected Modern Orthodox Jewish institutions in Livingston, New Jersey. The schools are named after his deceased parents, both Holocaust survivors.
