WHO IS BENNETT LEBOW?
Bennett LeBow, the chief executive of cigarette maker Liggett Group, also is head of New Valley Corp., a Miami-based investment group. New Valley is majority owned by a subsidiary of Brooke Group Ltd., Liggett’s parent. Mr. LeBow is chairman and CEO of Brooke Group. New Valley is an investor in Gibson Greetings. In 1997, the maverick Mr. LeBow released documents to help states sue cigarette makers to recover Medicaid money spent on sick smokers. Liggett is the smallest of the nation’s major tobacco companies. Still, some shareholders are willing to try. In a cryptic letter sent Tuesday to Gibson Chief Executive Frank O’Connell, cigarette executive Bennett LeBow and his New Valley Corp. requested a prompt meeting with Gibson’s board to discuss tripling New Valley’s stake from 6.8 percent to 20 percent. He asked Gibson to rescind or amend the poison pill program, which forces would-be suitors to negotiate with Gibson’s board before making a takeover attempt. With Gibson’s continued signi
